{"id":135,"date":"2016-09-01T21:39:13","date_gmt":"2016-09-02T01:39:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/?p=135"},"modified":"2017-05-03T23:09:00","modified_gmt":"2017-05-04T03:09:00","slug":"panelists-predictions-us-open-womens-day-5-matches-including-bellis-kerber","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2016\/09\/01\/panelists-predictions-us-open-womens-day-5-matches-including-bellis-kerber\/","title":{"rendered":"Panelists Predictions US Open Women’s Day 5 Matches–Including Bellis\/Kerber"},"content":{"rendered":"

We’re up to Day 5 of the US Open, which means the start of the third round. Day 5 matches include respected veterans, top players in the world, and impressive newcomers. It even has a young American trying to inspire a new generation<\/a> of fans. As always, though, we’re here to predict five of the biggest matches of the day. Predicting today are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), editor Sam Barker, and contributor Niall Murray.<\/p>\n

Our Panelists Predictions US Open Women’s Day 5 Matches<\/h2>\n


\nJohanna Konta vs. Belinda Bencic<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yesh:<\/em>
\nKonta is more consistent player in recent months, but she’ll be tired after her last match and Bencic is more than talented enough to take advantage.
\nPrediction: Bencic in 2<\/em><\/p>\n

Niall:<\/em>
\nAfter the health problems she experienced in her last match it\u2019s a miracle that Jo Konta is even in the third round. The British #1 is one of the fittest women on the WTA Tour and she\u2019ll have to be at her best to defeat a resurgent Belinda Bencic. The Swiss breezed through a potentially tricky second round match against Andrea Petkovic, and looked like she was returning to something near her best. I reckon this will be a close one, but Konta will just have too much for Bencic in the end.
\nPrediction: Konta in 3<\/em><\/p>\n

Sam:<\/em>
\nThis could be an encounter of the highest quality between two of the tour’s most impressive baseliners. Konta showed all the grit that has seen her rise to the brink of the top ten in the last round whilst Bencic also showed clear progression from her first round match. Ultimately though the Brit has the matchplay this year and that should see her over the line.
\nPrediction: Konta in 3<\/em><\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n