We are ready to wrap up the second round of the US Open in the brutal New York heat. So far we have seen some upsets, but we have also seen most of the top players come through. This half of the draw presents some intriguing matchups, so we’re here to predict the five best of them for you. Predicting today are writers Utkarsha Mitra, Tracey Essex, and Lukas Weese, along with editor Yesh Ginsburg.
Panelists Predictions US Open Day 4 Women’s Matches
Kristina Mladenovic vs Carla Suarez Navarro
Lukas:
This is the fourth time that these ladies are meeting, with Mladenovic winning the last match in Stuttgart. Mladenovic won a straight set match heading into this second round tilt, while Suarez Navarro had to overcome a three set battle over Nicole Gibbs. I like Mladenovic to advance, using her strong groundstrokes to take control of the match.
Prediction: Mladenovic in 2
Utkarsha:
Mladenovic’s horror season in singles is continuing, but she got an easy win over Zidansek in Round 1. Suarez Navarro might have dropped in rankings but I feel her experience will get the better of Kiki.
Prediction: Suarez Navarro in 3
Tracey:
The 29-year-old Spaniard, Suarez Navarro seems to play her best tennis in the biggest moments. She’s had a good hard court season and the mid-speed courts of the US Open will help her. Mladenovic does well on faster courts giving her a slight disadvantage when she meets Suarez Navarro tomorrow. While this match could go either way, I expect Suarez Navarro will win in three sets.
Prediction: Suarez Navarro in 3
Yesh:
This match is tough to predict. Both women are so talented but have fallen on tough times recently. Mladenovic has the better upside, but Suarez Navarro has been more consistent recently. I’ll go with the consistency.
Prediction: Suarez Navarro in 3
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Taylor Townsend vs Jelena Ostapenko
Lukas:
2017 French Open Champion Jelena Ostapenko will have to take on American hopeful Taylor Townsend. Townsend will have to rely on the American crowds to cheer her on because she is in for a tough battle against young Ostapenko. Both ladies will showcase some fantastic groundstrokes and long rallies. But I like Ostapenko, who has the experience in these early Grand Slam matches, to come away with the victory to advance to the third round.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Utkarsha:
Townsend had an unlikely win over 16-year old Anisimova on Tuesday, and Ostapenko had to grind out a tough three-setter against Petkovic. Ostapenko better performance in majors may turn out to be the difference.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Tracey:
Townsend and Ostapenko both played three-set matches to move on to the second round. Fresh form won’t be either’s advantage, but if Ostapenko can prevent her usual mid-match letdown, she should eliminate Townsend in two sets. Since a letdown is likely, it’ll take three sets.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Yesh:
Townsend picked up a huge comeback win over Anisimova on Tuesday. That should help her confidence, while Ostapenko has been inconsistent recently. I think it’s time for Townsend to really make her first big splash in a Slam, taking out the 2017 French Open champion.
Prediction: Townsend in 3
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Dominika Cibulkova vs Su-Wei Hsieh
Lukas:
This is a rematch of the Round of 16 at Wimbledon where Cibulkova won in straight sets 6-4, 6-1. Cibulkova has a strong arsenal of weapons, particularly her powerful groundstrokes that she uses to get her opponents off balance. Hsieh is known for her unconventional quirky shots that constantly frustrate opponents. I like Cibulkova to use her experience in Grand Slams to power through into the third round.
Prediction: Cibulkova in 2
Utkarsha:
I’d go with Cibulkova, because of her far superior Grand Slam performances. Form-wise neither of them is doing too well right now.
Prediction: Cibulkova in 3
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Tracey:
We’ve all seen what Hsieh is capable of when you least expect it. It seems she’s always able to get just one more ball back and that’s just what she’ll do tomorrow when she takes on Dominika Cibulkova. I predict Hsieh in three sets.
Prediction: Hsieh in 3
Yesh:
This is a tough match to pick. Cibulkova is more talented, but Hsieh somehow so often brings her best in the Slams. Hsieh is just so hard to hit through sometimes, so this could be a bad matchup for Cibulkova.
Prediction: Hsieh in 3
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Eugenie Bouchard vs Marketa Vondrousova
Lukas:
After qualifying into the main draw, Eugenie Bouchard won her first round at the US Open in straight sets to advance to her second round match against Vondurosova. This will be the first time these ladies have met in their career. It should be a roller coaster of a battle, as both players will have to deal with the warm conditions in New York. I like Bouchard to follow up her first round victory with a win to advance to the third round in a tough match.
Prediction: Bouchard in 3
Utkarsha:
Bouchard has looked incredibly comfortable in the qualifiers and 1st round. So has Russian teen Vondrousova, but she’s a little low on match practice, having played just three matches in the last five weeks.
Prediction: Bouchard in 3
Tracey:
Bouchard has spent a lot of time on court, coming into the main draw through qualifiers. While she’s positive, and loves New York and the vocally supportive crowds, it just won’t be enough. The 19-year-old Czech got through her first round quickly with sharp play, so Vondrousova should have better form, speed and focus.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Yesh:
Bouchard definitely is the more talented player in this matchup. Her talent has just been AWOL for a few years now. She has looked far more comfortable so far this tournament, though, so maybe the good run can continue.
Prediction: Bouchard in 2
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Maria Sharapova vs Sorana Cirstea
Lukas:
This is the first time that both players are competing against each other since 2012. Sharapova is coming off a straight set victory over Patty Schnyder, where she won 68% of her first serve points. Cirstea is coming off a three set battle against Alison Riske, where she saved three of five break point opportunities. The heat in New York will be a factor in this match, as Sharapova does not have many recent match experiences under her belt. But her overall experience in this point of a Grand Slam will prove to be too much for Cirstea, as Sharapova finds a way to advance to the third round.
Prediction: Sharapova in 3
Utkarsha:
Sharapova’s form has been up-and-down recently and she bottled a 62 51 lead in her 1st round match to win 62 76(6). Cirstea’s recent form hasn’t quite been the best either and US Open is by far her worst Major.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2
Tracey:
As if Tuesday’s brutal New York heat and humidity isn’t enough, her first round three-setter and doubles play will surely take a toll on Sorana Cirstea. Maria Sharapova may not be in fine form, but she’ll get through Cirstea in two.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2
Yesh:
Sharapova’s ranking keeps rising, but she keeps struggling heavily on the big stage. If Cirstea can keep her cool, she might be able to swing an upset if Sharapova just can’t find the court again. That’s a big “if” for Cirstea, though.
Prediction: Sharapova in 3
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