The action will continue on day four at the US Open with 16 second-round matches on the slate in Flushing Meadows. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Aryna Sabalenka vs Polina Kudermetova, Jessica Pegula vs Anna Blinkova, and Jasmine Paolini vs Iva Jovic. But who will win through to the third round and who will be heading home from New York?
US Open Day 4 Predictions
Mirra Andreeva vs Anastasia Potapova
Jordan: Mirra Andreeva used to have issues against players like Anastasia Potapova, who do not hit the ball with overwhelming pace. But she is much more comfortable against that style now. The teenager should progress without much stress.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Ilemona: Andreeva looked sharp in her opener and has been steadily building confidence on hard courts. Potapova’s shot-making can be streaky, and her recent results have reflected that. If she finds her range early, this one could turn tricky.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Yesh: Mirra Andreeva is a Top 10 player, easy as it is to forget as she hadn’t won a match since Wimbledon until this week. She should beat Potapova, but there’s no telling where her health and mentality are at the moment.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
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Emma Raducanu vs Janice Tjen
Jordan: Emma Raducanu can expect a thorough test against Janice Tjen, who has been superb since qualifying, and beat Polina Kudermetova in the previous round. However, Raducanu is currently playing some of her best tennis since winning the 2021 US Open. It might take one of the top seeds to stop the Briton.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
Ilemona: Raducanu cruised through her first round with clean ball-striking, showing flashes of her 2021 form. Tjen impressed in first round as one of the standout stories and brings plenty of fight, but she’s stepping into a much bigger spotlight here. Handling the pace will be key.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
Yesh: This should be one of the better matches of the day. With Raducanu’s form from the last few years, I might expect this to be Tjen’s chance to introduce herself to the tennis world after a great year on the lower circuits. But with Raducanu’s current form, I’ll trust the former champion.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
McCartney Kessler vs Marketa Vondrousova
Jordan: McCartney Kessler’s superb development in the last 12 months makes this a challenging test for Marketa Vondrousova. Despite the Czech’s superior CV, I feel Kessler will edge this. The American’s best chance against Vondrousova is on a hard court, and she is suited to handling her variety.
Prediction: Kessler in 3
Ilemona: Kessler showed poise in her Slam debut, but Vondrousova’s mix of spins and angles makes for a tough matchup. The Czech also came through her opener with little fuss, suggesting her rhythm is already there. It’s a big challenge for the American to adapt quickly.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Yesh: McCartney Kessler loves the American hard courts and is in good form. She should have the power to hit through Kudermetova in this one, on current form.
Prediction: Kessler in 3
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Victoria Azarenka vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Jordan: Victoria Azarenka usually thrives against flat hitters on hard courts, demonstrated by her 5-1 record against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on the surface. A lack of match practice before the US Open gives her fellow veteran some hope, but I still give the three-time runner-up in New York the edge.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Ilemona: Azarenka has long been at home on these courts, and her first-round performance showed she’s still tough to break down. Pavlyuchenkova has the experience to make it competitive, though her recent form has been uneven. Whoever controls the baseline exchanges is likely to edge it.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Yesh: Victoria Azarenka is still one of the best players in the world at times, but those times are coming fewer and further between as the years pass. The same is true of Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Azarenka usually gets the better of this matchup, but it could go both ways.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
