The second round of the US Open continues in New York, with several intriguing clashes on day 5. As always, we, in Lwot, have our panel of writers offering their predictions. Today’s panel includes Ilemona, Jordan and Tope.
Coco Gauff vs Donna Vekic
Ibony: GAUFF had to work hard in its opening, accumulating 59 unl forced errors and 10 double defects before shooting in three sets. Vekic also had his difficulties in the first round, but she stopped when it counted. With both in search of cleaner tennis, it could depend on who puts things first.
Prediction: GAUFF in 2
Jordan: Gauff could be in danger if she does not play better than in the previous round. However, I think that playing a powerful striker like Vekic could be useful. The American was trained in errors during long rallies against Ajla Tomljanovic, but the defense against the power of Vekic will be a different match.
Prediction: GAUFF in 2
Tope: Gauff’s victory marked his 18th victory in New York on Tuesday, and the 21 -year -old woman, who has not been eliminated before the second round since 2021, is trying to extend this sequence by overcoming her Croatian opponent, Donna Vekic, with whom she exchanged victories. Vekic has a file of 3 to 9 against the 10 best opponents since April of last year, although one of his three victories came against Gauff on clay in Paris. The result of Thursday’s match will depend on what Gauff’s iteration appears, but overall, the American with a delighted crowd behind it should pass.
Prediction: GAUFF in 3
Maria Sakkari vs Anna Bondar
Ibony: Sakkari looked clear in his first game, hitting the ball with confidence and keeping the short points. Bondar did well to reach this stadium, but its success is mainly on Clay. It is a delicate match when the surface forces are also different.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Jordan: Bondar will try to save his superb victory against Elina Svitolina. Although possible, players often have a hard time in the next match after causing a significant upheaval. I have the feeling that will occur against the experienced sakkari.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Tope: Although the two had uneven seasons, they looked solid when they recorded brilliant victories in the first round to meet this meeting. Bondar looked exceptionally when she abandoned her service only once against Svitolina experienced during the previous round. While Sakkari is the most experienced player, I drive with the Hungarian to make two consecutive victories.
Prediction: Bondar in 3
Anna Kalinsky vs yulia poutintsva
Ibony: Kalinskaya came by his first control, pursuing a constant series of results on hard courts this year. Putinteseva, however, prosperous by making messy matches and just fought beyond a difficult opponent. Expect twists and turns before it is decided.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
Jordan: The victory of the Sumpséeva’s opening tower has been welcome after a very difficult season so far. But that did not make me confident enough to support her against Kalinskaya, whose clean strike combines the animated shorts of New York.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
Tope: Kalinskaya experienced a minor backhand in the first round; She managed to regroup after losing the second set, finally fixing her place in the second round at Flushing Meadows for the fourth consecutive year. Yulia Putinteva also reached the third round in US Open from last year, but her experiences in hard courts in 2025 were not positive, and her recent performances against more tidy opponents are quite appalling. I do not see this trend rubbing in New York against Russian.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
Karolina Muchova vs Sorana Cirtea
Ibony: Cirstea returned with a solid victory, shaking all fatigue in his first match, while Muchova needed to dig deeply to move forward. The two players can create with their shot, which establishes a fascinating contrast. Whoever finds the cleaner rhythm at first could take charge.
Prediction: CIRSTEA in 3
Jordan: CIRSTEA is on a sequence of victories of eight games and has left a whole in any of these victories. Nevertheless, I expect Muchova to end this sequence. The variety of Czech is suitable for the disruption of the CIRSTEA rhythm.
Prediction: In the chip in 2
Tope: Usually it should have a muchova victory written everywhere, but the physical form of the Czech is a large question mark, even more pronounced when it gave a set to Venus Williams, 45, in the first round. Against Sorana Cirstea, who plays some of the best tennis in her career, she will have to keep the pace high to have a chance. Leave the CIRSTEA carnival.
Prediction: CIRSTEA in 2
Main photo credit: Images by Susan Mullane-Imagn
