Three quarter-final picks from Flushing Meadows today, and honestly it's a pretty fascinating mix of a potential upset, a lopsided favorite, and a rivalry that has only ever gone one way. We've got our predictions below, so let's get into it.
WTA US Open Predictions
Mirra Andreeva vs Cori Gauff
Head-to-head: Gauff leads 5-0
Five from five for Gauff, and that's not a small sample size for two players who are both still so young. The most recent of those was at Roland Garros earlier this year, and Gauff has simply found ways to handle Andreeva's game every time they've met. That said, Andreeva is playing some of the best tennis of her life right now, and at 17 she's only getting more comfortable in these big moments. The slow hard courts at Flushing should actually suit her, giving her time to construct points from the baseline rather than being rushed.
I think this is the match where the head-to-head stops mattering quite as much. Gauff is the defending champion and the crowd will be with her, but Andreeva has the tools to win a long match on this surface and I feel like she's ready for it.
Prediction: Andreeva in 3
Jessica Pegula vs Emma Navarro
Head-to-head: Pegula leads 4-0
Pegula is 4-0 against Navarro and has never really been pushed in any of those matches, and there's no strong reason to think this one ends differently. Navarro has had a solid run to the quarters and the home crowd will back her, but Pegula's flat, penetrating ball is exactly the kind of game that gives Navarro trouble, not allowing her the high bounces and time she prefers. Pegula also happens to be one of the most consistent performers at this tournament year after year.
Hard to see this being competitive at all.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Qinwen Zheng vs Elena Rybakina
Head-to-head: Rybakina leads 4-1
Zheng is ranked 121st right now and has clearly been dealing with something this season, a far cry from the player who won Olympic gold in Paris. Rybakina on the other hand is playing clean, aggressive tennis and her serve on hard courts, which has looked particularly sharp this fortnight, is simply a different weapon than anything else in the women's game. The head-to-head tells you most of what you need to know and the ranking gap makes it even clearer.
Rybakina in straight sets, and it probably won't be that close.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © PI via ZUMA Press Wire