The US Open continues as Iga Swiatek faces Liudmila Samsonova while Emma Navarro goes up against Paula Badosa in the round of 16 and quarter-finals. Damien Kayat previews.
Round of 16
Iga Swiatek 1/10 | Liudmila Samsonova 54/10
World No.1 Iga Swiatek progressed to the 4th round of the US Open for the 4th consecutive season, convincingly beating a gutsy Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straight sets.
She was sublime in the 2nd set, losing just three points on her first serve and committing just one unforced error. The 2022 US Open champ seems to be coming into her best form at exactly the right time. Swiatek has won five titles this year (including a 4th Roland Garros crown).
But you get the feeling that she will still have her doubters until she wins another non-Parisian slam. She reached the semifinals in Cincinnati and she just seems to be playing with complete freedom.
The Pole was visibly distressed after losing to Zheng in the Olympics final and it will be interesting to see if any self-doubt creeps in as the tournament heats up.
Liudmila Samsonova is starting to look really dangerous. The big-hitting Russian reached the 4th round after a thoroughly convincing 6-1, 6-1 victory over Ashlynn Krueger.
Samsonova is one of the most unpredictable players on tour. She has the potential- with that serve and forehand- to beat anyone on hard courts. She picked up two hardcourt WTA 1000 runner-up finishes last season (in Montreal and China). She has also previously won hardcourt events in America, picking up titles in Washington and Cleveland in 2022.
This year has been a mixed bag but she did win that title in Rosmalen. And she came into this event in some decent form, picking up back-to-back quarterfinal appearances in Toronto and Cincinnati.
Samsonova has an explosive game that can dismantle anyone. She hit an incredible 54 winners in her 2nd round win against Bouzkova (serving 12 aces in the match).
The Verdict: Swiatek to win in three 33/10
Swiatek leads the head-to-head 3-0. She thrashed Samsonova in their last meeting, beating her 6-2, 6-2 in last year’s Beijing final. But the Russian did push the Pole to three sets in their 2022 Stuttgart meeting.
Samsonova is playing some real ‘hail-Mary’ tennis and I think a three-set Swiatek win could offer some value. I can see the Russian catching Swiatek flat-footed with her ultra-aggressive style. But the Pole should prevail in the end.
Quarter-final
Emma Navarro 21/20 | Paula Badosa 72/100
This promises to be an exhilarating clash between two in-form players. Emma Navarro outlasted compatriot and defending US Open champion Coco Gauff in three sets to reach her 2nd consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal (she also beat Gauff at SW19).
Navarro had to remain patient against a visibly frustrated Gauff (the defending champ hit a stunning 60 unforced errors in the match). But the versatile Navarro mixed up her game nicely and forced Gauff into reckless play.
That victory improved the billionaire heiress’ brilliant 2024 record to 49-19. She won her maiden title in Hobart and she came into the US Open in excellent hardcourt form, reaching the semifinals in Toronto and Monterrey.
Navarro doesn’t possess the raw power of Swiatek or Sabalenka. But she does know how to mix up her game, employing plenty of topspin on that forehand wing. She has a really graceful backhand slice and she has used the drop-shot really effectively this past week.
Paula Badosa has reached her 2nd career Grand Slam quarterfinal, beating Wang Yafan 6-1, 6-2 in absolutely stultifying New York humidity.
The scoreline was deceiving as the first three games lasted an incredible 22 minutes. Badosa saved eight break points in the match and just had too much aggression when it really mattered. This has been a wonderful period of renaissance for the 26-year-old Spanish baseliner.
Badosa nearly retired after all her recent back pain but the cortisone treatment seems to be working for her. The win over Wang improved her post-Wimbledon record to 14-2.
She won in Washington and reached the semifinals in Cincinnati. She is hitting some really meaty groundstrokes and it will be interesting to see how she fares against the crafty Navarro.
The Verdict: Badosa to win in straight sets 31/20
Badosa won their only previous meeting, beating the American in three sets at this year’s Italian Open (back when she was still in a considerable amount of pain). The Spanish star really looks like she is on a mission this fortnight.
She was clinical against Wang, hitting 26 winners in atrociously hot conditions. Badosa is probably playing the most complete tennis of her entire career. She will force the pace, and she won’t commit as many errors as Gauff did against Navarro.
