US Open Day 4 Women’s Predictions Including Pegula vs Kenin

US Open action returns on Day 4 with 16 women’s second round matches. With some of the best players in the world taking the court, these matches are sure to produce fireworks. As always, we at LWOT have our roundtable predictions for every match on the schedule. Ilemona Onekutu, Yesh Ginsburg and Jordan Reynolds give their insights. Who will advance to the third round?

US Open Day 4 Women’s Predictions

Jasmine Paolini vs Karolina Pliskova

Ilemona
Jasmine Paolini is the player who has made the biggest progress on the tour over the past eight months and her performances at the biggest tournaments have been consistent enough to beat the former two-time finalist.
Prediction: Paolini in 2

Sure
Paolini has had an incredible summer, reaching finals at Wimbledon and the French Open, followed by a doubles gold at the Olympics. She has come back down to earth a little since then, and if Pliskova can stick with it, she can probably break through Paolini’s all-court defense. But Pliskova hasn’t looked this solid in a while.
Prediction: Paolini in 3

Jordan
Paolini’s three-set triumph over Bianca Andreescu was one of the highlights of the first few days of the women’s tournament. Pliskova is a different matchup and the Italian will be wary of the Czech’s powerful serve and flat returns. But it’s tough to compete with the overall game of the French Open and Wimbledon runner-up.
Prediction: Paolini in 2

Liudmila Samsonova vs. Marie Bouzkova

Ilemona
Marie Bouzkova would be happy with the win after a series of narrow defeats in her last three matches. A player of Samsonova’s quality would pose a threat to a return to the pattern of narrow defeats. Samsonova should be inspired to equalise in the head-to-head.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3

Sure
Bouzkova has immense talent, but health and circumstances have always been in the way. That is a problem, because Samsonova is playing really well this year and with a much better rhythm.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3

Jordan
Samsonova has more firepower than her opponent. However, she has struggled against strong defenders like Bouzkova at times this season. I think there is a chance of a surprise in this match if the Czech can redirect the speed of her opponent’s shots as best as she can.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3

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Caroline Dolehide vs. Sara Errani

Ilemona
Caroline Dolehide achieved an emotional victory over her compatriot Danielle Collins, who was playing her last tournament. The victory should give her the boost to achieve another victory and advance to the third round.
Prediction: Dolehide in 2

Sure
Dolehide ended Danielle Collins’ Grand Slam career, and now she gets to dive deeper into this event. Errani is still often solid and has moments of brilliance, but Dolehide should be consistent enough to outlast the Italian.
Prediction: Dolehide in 3

Jordan
Both women recovered from a set down in the opening round, Dolehide did so against Danielle Collins. Errani is still fighting impressively at 37, but winning again is a tough call. If Dolehide can keep her composure against her opponent’s loopy shots, she should win.
Prediction: Dolehide in 2

Jessica Pegula vs. Sofia Kenin

Ilemona
Jessica Pegula and Sofia Kenin have produced popcorn matches every time they’ve met, with all four encounters ending in three sets, though the last time they met in 2021 was when both players were at different points in their respective careers. A fully-relaxed Kenin should test Pegula, but just barely.
Prediction: Pegula in 3

Sure
Kenin is the former Grand Slam champion, but Pegula is the real threat here. Pegula is currently the most consistent player on tour. And while some of the bigger hitters can blow her off the court, no one else can.
Prediction: Pegula in 2

Jordan
This is not the second round that either player would have wanted. Although Kenin has had a pretty bad season, she is still incredibly talented, as she proved with her opening round win over Emma Raducanu. Is she ready to raise her level even further to beat Pegula? Probably not, but the sets will probably be competitive.
Prediction: Pegula in 2

Main photo credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports