US Open Day 7: Predictions for all women’s matches

As the fourth round of the 2023 US Open gets underway, maybe we should take stock of just how fantastic the tournament has been on the women’s side. One returning veteran is still alive. A couple of teenagers have made some noise. Top-seed Iga Swiatek looks great. But Sunday might feature one match everyone wants to see that doesn’t involve Swiatek.

Swiatek has been mostly quiet through the first week of the US Open. I don’t mean she says outlandish things, but more that she gets criticized a lot (for seemingly no reason), and she has to defend herself. I think she might be defending herself with her playing.

But which match might be the one you have to set aside time to watch? You’ll get that information in one minute. But here are my guesses for who wins Sunday on the women’s side of the US Open.

US Open Day 7: Predictions for all the women’s matches

30th-seed Sorana Cirstea versus 15th-seed Belinda Bencic

Cirstea upset fourth-seed Elena Rybakina in the third round, so why stop now? Bencic isn’t a bad player, but she just doesn’t do anything extremely great. I think Cirstea will get another surprising win riding her wave of momentum.

Prediction: Cirstea in three sets

13th-seed Daria Kasatkina versus second-seed Aryna Sabalenka

Kasatkina seems to just hang around in the top 20 of the WTA rankings without winning tournaments. She’s good but just not good enough to be among the best on the tour. Sabalenka will be a little shaky at first but will overcome.

Prediction: Sabalenka in straight sets

20th-seed Jelena Ostapenko versus top-seed Iga Swiatek

Swiatek just keeps playing, maintaining her top ranking, winning most tournaments she enters, and getting no love. She probably will be more admired when she retires in 15 years. Before that happens, though, she’ll move into the quarterfinals.

Prediction: Swiatek in straight sets

Caroline Wozniacki versus sixth-seed Coco Gauff

The match everyone wants to see. Coco Gauff is the it player on the WTA tour currently, and she could win a ton of Grand Slams. But Wozniacki is a great story of success after being off for a few years. Either player that wins will be beloved, and the same goes for whichever loses.

Prediction: Gauff in three sets