US Open Day 8: Predictions for all the women’s matches

We are really close to the quarterfinals of the US Open! That means we are one step closer to a Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz final and another Iga Swiatek Grand Slam victory! But no! Down went Swiatek on Sunday and the world was shocked.

We have four excellent matches on the women’s side on Monday, including three of the top five seeds. Ons Jabeur just seems to keep finding ways to win, even while not at her best. Jessica Pegula keeps winning but doesn’t do anything exceptionally well. And Aryna Sabalenka can be overpowering.

So who is going to win on Monday and move into the quarters of the US Open? Here are my guesses. (Just don’t make any bets on these guesses or you will probably lose.)

US Open: Predictions for the women’s matches on Day 8

Peyton Stearns against ninth-seed Marketa Vondrousova

Marketa Vondrousova has lost just twice since the Bett1 Open in June. She has a fantastic serve, and she’s adapted to not having fantastic athletic ability. Stearns hasn’t had the toughest of competition at the US Open so it’s almost accidental she’s made it this far. She won’t make it any further, however.

Prediction: Vondrousova in straight sets

17th-seed Madison Keys versus third-seed Jessica Pegula

Madison Keys peaked at a career-high number 7 in 2016. She’s never been a bad player, but she overhits a bunch. Pegula is a metronome of quality but doesn’t have a high ceiling. Pegula should have enough versatility to take this match, though.

Prediction: Pegula in three sets

23rd-seed Qinwen Zheng against fifth-seed Ons Jabeur

Over the last several months, Qinwen Zheng has mostly lost to just really good players. She’s only 20 years old and is going to get much better. Jabeur has a great variety of shots but seems to shrink in Grand Slam finals. We aren’t to the finals yet, though.

Prediction: Jabeur in three sets

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

Daria Kasatkina has fairly quietly had a good run over the last year. She’s reached a career-high in rankings and given top players fits. But Sabalenka likely just has too much firepower for her.

Prediction: Sabalenka in straight sets