Enterprise is about to choose up on the 2024 U.S. Open, an occasion that has already seen a sequence of upsets, hearth alarms delaying proceedings, gamers collapsing to the bottom and even a ball-girl controversy.
With the primary 4 rounds within the books, the eight surviving ladies start their quarterfinal ties on Tuesday and Wednesday. Right here, we rank the 4 matchups (least to most fun) whereas bearing in mind head-to-head data, latest type, home-court benefit and different intangible elements.
Beatriz Haddad Maia (No. 22) vs. Karolina Muchova (Unseeded)
Muchova is the extra completed of the 2, making the 2023 French Open closing and the 2023 U.S. Open semifinal earlier than an harm layoff pressured her to overlook the top of 2023 and the primary half of 2024.
The Czech star additionally has a 3-0 head-to-head file towards Haddad Maia, along with her final win over the Brazilian coming in three units on the 2023 Cincinnati Masters. Nevertheless, Haddad Maia is the in-form participant who upset Caroline Wozniacki and World No. 15 Anna Kalinskaya within the earlier two rounds. That mentioned, Muchova has expertise enjoying underneath the intense lights and is beginning to spherical into her 2023 type.
Prediction: Muchova in three units
Emma Navarro (No. 13) vs. Paula Badosa (No. 21)
The battle of the New Yorkers. Form of. Badosa, a Spaniard, was born within the Massive Apple, a reality she introduced up after her fourth-round win over Wang Yafan. She feels a particular reference to the town and is hopeful it can carry her to her first main semifinal.
The 26-year-old walked into Flushing Meadows with a powerful U.S. swing run that noticed her seize the DC Open and attain the finals of the Cincinnati Open. Moreover, she has received 14 of her final 16 hard-court matches and resembles the participant from 2021 who appeared destined for greatness earlier than a devastating again harm.
Regardless of being the upper seed and unseating defending champion Coco Gauff within the fourth spherical, Navarro, 23, walks into this because the underdog towards a extra seasoned competitor. Badosa additionally beat her at Rome (albeit on clay) earlier this 12 months and is aware of what she’s up towards.
Prediction: Badosa in three units
Iga Swiatek (No. 1) vs. Jessica Pegula (No. 6)
It is a mouthwatering conflict by all accounts. With neither lady dropping a set to this point, they’re each about to be examined for the primary time.
Whereas Swiatek, the World No. 1, is the favourite on paper, Pegula — a New Yorker — will feed off the electrical Arthur Ashe crowd firmly in her nook. The Pole is 6-3 of their head-to-head encounters, along with her most up-to-date win within the WTA Finals final 12 months.
Nevertheless, Swiatek should cope with Pegula’s blistering service recreation — the American notched up a mind-blowing 80 % win price on her first serve in her win over Diana Shnaider within the earlier spherical. Finally, Swiatek does have the higher all-around recreation and barely disappoints on the American laborious courts.
Prediction: Swiatek in three units
Aryna Sabalenka (No. 2) vs. Qinwen Zheng (No. 7)
For the third time inside 12 months, the 2 top-ranked girls will sq. off in a high-stakes main match. First, on the 2023 U.S. Open, Sabalenka dominated the Chinese language star 6-1, 6-4 en path to a visit to the finals.
The rematch on the 2024 Australian Open had even greater stakes — a finals showdown at Rod Laver Area. The end result was almost an identical, with the Belarusian prevailing in straight units.
Will the third time be the appeal for Zheng, who’s in the midst of a wonderful 12 months that noticed her seize the gold medal on the Paris Olympics and attain a career-high rating of World No. 7? So, why does Zheng consider she will lastly conquer Sabalenka?
“I feel I learn the ball higher on courtroom and in comparison with one 12 months in the past,” Zheng mentioned forward of her rematch with Sabalenka, through AusOpen.com. “I really feel I am extra highly effective, however I do know higher how one can management the ability, when to make use of the ability and when to carry down a bit attempting to play with the opponent.”
The 21-year-old sensation is having fun with a profession 12 months, however it’s laborious to guess towards a confirmed champion.
Prediction: Sabalenka in three units
