By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday August 30, 2024
With Carlos Alcaraz out of the draw, who will benefit in the top half? Daniil Medvedev hopes it is him.
Photo Source: USTA/ US Open
Day 6 of the US Open means… round three concludes and the round of 16 will be set! Here’s what we’ll be watching on a blockbuster Saturday at the US Open as the top half contest their third-round matches.
Bagels anyone?
The last time World No.1 Iga Swiatek faced Anastasia Pavlychenkova she ruthlessly dispatched the Russian, 6-0, 6-0, in Rome in 2023. They meet again tomorrow, on a faster surface, as 2022 champion Swiatek looks to reach the second week at the Open for the fourth consecutive year.
25th-seeded Pavlyuchenkova, making her 15th US Open appearance, likes the fast-playing surface of the US Open. The 33-year-old former World No.11 enters with a 22-14 record at Flushing Meadows, but she has not been past the quarterfinals since 2011.
Meanwhile, Swiatek’s draw has cleared out a bit, with her nemesis Elena Rybakina, the No.4 seed pulling out due to injury. Saturday presents a good chance for the Pole to sharpen her game and take the next step in the direction of a sixth major title, and second in New York.
Life continues without Carlitos
After No.3 seed Carlos Alcaraz fell to Botic Van de Zandschulp in straight sets on Thursday, the top of the draw feels a little more wide open. Sure, 2024 Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner still anchors the top of the draw, and he’s the favorite to make it to the final, but Saturday presents a good opportunity for Daniil Medvedev to start making a push. The 2021 champion faces rising Italian Flavio Cobolli in what could be one of the most entertaining tilts of Day 6.
Don’t sleep on fifth-seeded Medvedev, who defeated Alcaraz to reach the final last year and owns an impressive lifetime record of 31-6 at the US Open. 22-year-old Cobolli, seeded 31, is bidding for his first trip to the second week at a major.
Paolini and Pegula power
If you like fireworks you’ll enjoy the third-round matchup between fifth-seeded Jasmine Paolini and Yulia Putintseva. Two hard-hitting pugulists who always leave it all on the court – what’s more to like? Paolini is 17-3 at the majors this year and is in the midst of one of the most incredible late-career blooms that we’ve ever seen.
Can she keep up her astounding success at the majors or will feisty Putintseva play spoiler?
Meanwhile, sixth-seeded Jessica Pegula will look to take another step in the direction of that elusive maiden Grand Slam semifinal. The Buffalo native takes on Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain on Day 6. Pegula has lost all six of her previous Grand Slam quarterfinals, but she’s overcome early season struggles to hit her stride this summer. The Toronto champion has won 11 of her last 12 matches…