Three of the bigger names left in the draw are in action today at Flushing Meadows, and we've got predictions for all three. None of these matchups look particularly close on paper, but let's see who actually shows up.
WTA US Open Predictions
Aryna Sabalenka vs Linda Noskova
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 2-0 Noskova
Sabalenka is the defending champion here and the number one seed, and Noskova has never really looked comfortable against the heavy ball-striking that Sabalenka brings. Both previous meetings went to Sabalenka without much drama, and there's no real reason to think this one plays out differently on a hard court that suits the champion's game perfectly.
Noskova can be dangerous when her big forehand is clicking, but Sabalenka wins this and should have enough on this surface, all things considered.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Jessica Pegula vs Emma Navarro
Head-to-head: Pegula 4-0 Navarro
Navarro has had a breakthrough year and the New York crowd will love her, but Pegula owns this matchup completely. Four wins and zero losses, and Pegula is playing some of the best tennis of her career right now. The 4-0 head-to-head, which includes a win earlier this season on a similarly fast surface, tells you something real about how these two match up stylistically with Pegula's consistency and clean ball-striking giving Navarro very little to work with.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Qinwen Zheng
Head-to-head: Swiatek 7-1 Zheng
Zheng is ranked 121st right now, a long way from the player who won Olympic gold in Paris just weeks ago, and Swiatek has beaten her seven out of eight times they've met. Hard to see this one warranting much analysis at all. That said, Swiatek hasn't been at her absolute best during this hard court swing, but Zheng's current ranking reflects real form issues and that one head-to-head win feels like a long time ago.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Marcin Cholewinski/ZUMA Press Wire