By Tony Fairbairn
- Jasmine Paolini [5] v Karolina Muchova
- Jannik Sinner [1] v Tommy Paul [14]
- Iga Swiatek [1] v Liudmila Samsonova [16]
NEW YORK, USA – Jasmine Paolini will aim to maintain her Grand Slam efficiency when the Italian takes on last year’s semi-finalist Karolina Muchova for a place in the US Open quarter-finals.
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Jasmine Paolini [5] v Karolina Muchova H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jasmine Paolini [5] v Karolina Muchova | H2H: Muchova leads 3-0 |
| US Open 2024 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $325,000 |
| First on Louis Armstrong Stadium (16:00 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Jasmine Paolini’s Grand Slam season continues to get better as the Italian’s win over Yulia Putintseva sees her into the last 16 of the US Open. The result means that Paolini has reached the second week of every Grand Slam this season as her impressive efficiency in the big events continues. Why stop there though? Paolini will be determined to continue her form this season as she has reached the last two Grand Slam finals and will be seeking to gain the hat-trick. However with tough competition and a faster court surface, the challenge won’t be easy for Paolini on the road to New York glory.
That tough road begins with last year’s semi-finalist Karolina Muchova who continues to get better with each match after a nightmare last 12 months. Over the last year Muchova has had to deal with a string of setbacks and injuries as she only returned to the tour in Eastbourne. The prospect of defending a heavy amount of ranking points hasn’t fazed Muchova though as wins over Naomi Osaka and Anastasia Potapova has seen Muchova into the second week at the US Open. Now Muchova looks to establish herself as a title contender with these conditions perfectly suiting her game.
Paolini will aim to return aggressively as she looks to neutralize the creativity of Muchova by forcing the Czech Republican behind the baseline. Meanwhile Muchova will need to be aggressive on serve as she looks to rush Paolini’s baseline game. Although Paolini’s consistency will test Muchova to her limits, the Czech Republican’s mix of variety, aggression and net play will prove too much for the Italian.
Prediction: Muchova in three sets.
Jannik Sinner [1] v Tommy Paul [14] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jannik Sinner [1] v Tommy Paul [14] | H2H: Sinner leads 2-1 |
| US Open 2024 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $325,000 |
| Fourth on Arthur Ashe Stadium (01:30 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Jannik Sinner will be relieved to not have followed in Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic’s footsteps as the Italian is into the second week in New York. The world number one has continued his form from winning the title in Cincinnati as he has cruised into the last 16 with relative ease. Despite a stressful build-up to the US Open which was dominated by off-court controversy, Sinner has remained calm and composed as he will now be favourite to claim the title at the US Open with the Italian aiming for a second Grand Slam title.
The US Open title credentials of Sinner will be given a stern test when the Italian takes on Tommy Paul in the last 16. Paul has been a consistent figure in the world’s top 20 and has tested the world’s best players on a regular basis. The American has a good mix of power, stamina and tactical intelligence as he is always in the mix at the latter stages of big tournaments. Now Paul looks to add a big Grand Slam run to the list of his achievements as he will feel that conditions in New York suit his game well and will look to back that statement up in the second week.
Sinner will continue to be aggressive on serve and return but the most important quality that the Italian will need is to be patient in the rallies as Paul will make him work for every points. The American will also be aggressive on return but will aim to punish any short second serves produced by Sinner. This will be a big test of Sinner’s stamina and the Italian should just about survive but it would be no surprise to see Paul win this war of attrition.
Prediction: Sinner in four sets.
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Iga Swiatek [1] v Liudmila Samsonova [16] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Iga Swiatek [1] v Liudmila Samsonova [16] | H2H: Swiatek leads 3-0 |
| US Open 2024 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $325,000 |
| Third on Arthur Ashe Stadium (Midnight BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
World number one Iga Swiatek has stormed into the second week of the US Open after a glitchy start to the tournament. Swiatek seems to have found her confidence and she will need all the swagger she can conjure up if she is to win the title in New York given the level of competition. However Swiatek has the experience of knowing how to win the title at the US Open and that will prove crucial as she looks for a sixth career Grand Slam title.
A testing last 16 clash awaits Swiatek in the form of 16th seed Liudmila Samsonova. Samsonova has a big game and big weapons to match having had a consistent last few months which started with the s-Hertogenbosch title. That has been followed up with consistent results and performances and entered the US Open having reached the quarter-finals in Cincinnati. Now Samsonova will look to capture the biggest result of her season and blow the draw wide open.
Swiatek aims to serve aggressively as she will use the forehand to create angles and get Samsonova moving around the court. Meanwhile Samsonova will need to get her first serve percentage up as she will need to neutralize Swiatek’s returning with aggressive and deep shots. This will be a decent test for Swiatek that will prepare her for bigger obstacles to come but ultimately the Pole should have too much quality and consistency for Samsonova.
Prediction: Swiatek in straight sets.
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