It should be an entertaining sixth day at the US Open as the third round gets underway in Flushing Meadows.
US Open Day 6 PredictionsAryna Sabalenka vs Kamila RakhimovaAteet: Aryna Sabalenka easily defeated Polina Iatcenko in the second round to make it 16 wins in a row at the US Open.
Sabalenka could face a tougher test against Kamilla Rakhimova, who looks in good form and has troubled Sabalenka in the past.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2Nurein: After a mid-season slump, Aryna Sabalenka looks locked in from the first two matches.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2Jasmine Paolini vs Sorana CirsteaAteet: Sorana Cirstea got another impressive win against in-form Diane Parry in the second round.
It should be an entertaining sixth day at the US Open as the third round gets underway in Flushing Meadows. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate including Linda Noskova vs Ann Li, as well as all the action in the men’s singles draw, but who will book their spot in the second week?
US Open Day 6 Predictions
Aryna Sabalenka vs Kamila Rakhimova
Ateet: Aryna Sabalenka easily defeated Polina Iatcenko in the second round to make it 16 wins in a row at the US Open. Sabalenka could face a tougher test against Kamilla Rakhimova, who looks in good form and has troubled Sabalenka in the past. This match will give an accurate reading of where Sabalenka’s level is at, and I think she will be up for the challenge.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Nurein: After a mid-season slump, Aryna Sabalenka looks locked in from the first two matches. Kamilla Rakhimova will look to extend rallies and force the world #1 to hit one extra ball, but I still expect Sabalenka’s power to shine.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Tope: Sabalenka’s power and relentless form should prove far too much for Rakhimova, especially with the world #1 chasing a third straight US Open crown and a 16th consecutive win in New York. Rakhimova has shown she can cause an upset, but Sabalenka’s perfect 3-0 record in their rivalry and that crushing 6-1 6-0 win at Roland Garros—makes the defending champion the clear pick to advance.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Jasmine Paolini vs Sorana Cirstea
Ateet: Sorana Cirstea got another impressive win against in-form Diane Parry in the second round. Cirstea made things a little tricky towards the end, but she would be glad to win in straight sets. She has never won against Jasmine Paolini, but they haven’t played since 2024. Cirstea has been in much better form all season, and I expect her to win this match.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Nurein: I’m going against the ranking here. Yes, Paolini has not played a lot of tennis in the past two months, but the Italian has steadily been finding her rhythm. She also holds a perfect 3-0 record in this matchup and her forehand should cause Cirstea plenty of problems.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Tope: Paolini has the head-to-head edge and is finding her rhythm at just the right time, but Cirstea’s confidence and comfort on quicker courts make this a far tighter test than their 3-0 record suggests.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Marta Kostyuk vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Ateet: Marta Kostyuk was tested by former champion Sloane Stephens in the second round, but she did well, winning in straight sets. She will be well aware of the threat Ekaterina Alexandrova poses, and I expect her to be locked in and get the win.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
Nurein: Kostyuk is having an exceptional season and maybe this could be the tournament where she reaches her first Grand Slam final. She was close at Wimbledon and her second set fightback against an inspired Sloane Stephens indicates just how well she can play under pressure. Alexandrova has the firepower, but Kostyuk is one of the best all-around athletes.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3
Tope: Kostyuk’s confidence is soaring after another commanding Grand Slam win, and her improved all-court game should give Alexandrova plenty to think about. With the Ukrainian arriving at Flushing Meadows in red-hot form and their last meeting now four years in the rear-view mirror, expect Kostyuk to edge a tight battle and extend her breakthrough run.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
Karolina Muchova vs Emma Navarro
Ateet: Emma Navarro is trending in the right direction at the US Open after a difficult season, but she had to work extremely hard once again in the second round against Caty McNally. Karolina Muchova is going to be an even tougher opponent, and Navarro might not have the answer this time.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Nurein: What a blockbuster match we have in store. Navarro is playing on home turf and survived Lois Boisson before seeing off Caty McNally, so confidence is there. But Muchova has looked extremely sharp in New York, carrying her Grand Slam-winning form in mixed doubles to the singles court. I’ll lean Muchova, but this is the toughest call of the four matches.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Tope: Muchova looks primed to take control from the start, with her superior hard-court game and rock-solid defense likely to expose Navarro’s fatigue after two draining three-setters so far at the US Open. Expect the Czech to dictate the tempo, soak up the home-crowd pressure and cruise to a straight-sets win.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
