Who Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek play in US Open fourth round, and other must-watch matches
The 2024 U.S. Open has reached its second week, and the women's draw is setting up to be an intense competition. Despite the physical and mental demands of a long tennis season, most of the top players have successfully navigated their way to the round of 16. This year’s tournament has been marked by consistency among the elite, with six of the top seven seeds advancing. The only exception is Elena Rybakina, the No. 4 seed, who had to withdraw in the second round due to injury.
In addition to the high-ranking seeds, other in-form players like former world No. 2 Paula Badosa, rising star Diana Shnaider, and recent Olympic silver medalist Donna Vekic have also progressed. This creates an exciting second week, where as many as ten players have a legitimate shot at lifting the trophy. The upcoming fourth-round matchups promise to deliver some thrilling tennis.
Coco Gauff, the defending champion, will face off against Emma Navarro in a match that holds significant intrigue. Although Navarro is three years older than Gauff, she is relatively new to the latter stages of Grand Slam tournaments. Navarro, who won the NCAA singles championship at Virginia just three years ago, has swiftly risen to No. 12 in the world, boasting a 48-19 record this year. She secured a pivotal victory over Gauff in the round of 16 at Wimbledon earlier this year, defeating her 6-4, 6-3 in a match where Gauff struggled to find her rhythm.
Gauff will be looking for redemption at the U.S. Open, a tournament where she has historically performed well, particularly in the electrifying atmosphere of Arthur Ashe Stadium. However, her form has been inconsistent; even in her recent win over Elina Svitolina, Gauff had to battle back from a set down, eventually winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. To overcome Navarro this time, Gauff will need to minimize errors and maintain composure against an opponent who is known for her fitness and consistenc
This match is a rematch of the gold medal match from the Paris Olympics, where Zheng Qinwen defeated Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3. Zheng’s rise has been meteoric, but the journey has also been exhausting. After her Olympic triumph, Zheng returned to China for a major homecoming event before making her way to North America for the U.S. Open. Despite the jet lag and fatigue, Zheng has managed to reach the second week, though she had to endure three-set battles in two of her matches.
Vekic, on the other hand, has cruised through the tournament so far, winning all her matches in straight sets. She’s had a strong summer, making it to the semifinals at Wimbledon before competing in the Olympics. Given Vekic’s current form and Zheng’s potential fatigue, this could be an opportunity for Vekic to turn the tables on her opponent and advance further in the tournament
Jessica Pegula, the top-ranked American woman, has consistently performed well in recent years, but her 0-6 record in Grand Slam quarterfinals is a glaring blemish on her otherwise impressive career. The U.S. Open presents a golden opportunity for her to break that trend, but standing in her way in the fourth round is Diana Shnaider, a 20-year-old Russian phenom who has already won three WTA titles this year on different surfaces: hard court, grass, and clay.
Shnaider’s rise has been swift. After making headlines by winning a round at the 2023 Australian Open, she opted to attend NC State for a semester before fully committing to the professional tour. Since then, she has been on a tear, demonstrating a powerful game that belies her age. However, facing a seasoned competitor like Pegula in the pressure-cooker environment of a Grand Slam will be a significant test of her mettle.
For the more dedicated tennis enthusiasts, the matchup between Karolina Muchova and Jasmine Paolini is one to watch. Muchova’s career has been plagued by injuries, yet her talent is undeniable. After missing more than nine months due to wrist surgery, she is back and making a serious run in just her sixth tournament since returning. Last year, Muchova made it to the semifinals of the U.S. Open before losing to Gauff, and she’ll be looking to go even further this year.
Paolini, on the other hand, has had a breakthrough year. Previously a non-factor in major tournaments, she has recently found her form, making it to the finals of both the French Open and Wimbledon. Paolini’s energetic style contrasts with Muchova’s smooth and varied shot-making, making this an intriguing clash of styles.
World No. 1 Iga Świątek has had a somewhat uneven year in Grand Slams. After winning her fourth Roland Garros title, she suffered early exits in both the Australian Open and Wimbledon, increasing the pressure on her to perform well in New York. In the fourth round, she will face Liudmila Samsonova, a player who has the potential to disrupt Świątek’s rhythm.
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