US Open Women’s Singles Quarterfinals Preview
The 2022 US Open gets more intense as the final Grand Slam of the year reaches the quarterfinals stage, and while there have been many upsets and shocking results, the Women’s Singles draw still contains an impressive field of players ready to book their spots in the final four.
Iga Swiatek v Jessica Pegula
World No.1 Swiatek came close to being dumped out in the round of 16 by 108th-ranked Jule Niemeier but the Pole dug deep, recovering from a set and a break down to defeat the German 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Swiatek has clearly not been at her best, but the 21-year-old still defeated Jasmine Paolini, 2017 champion Sloane Stephens, Lauren Davis and Niemeier to make the last eight at Flushing Meadows for the first time.
No.8 seed Jessica Pegula continues to break new ground as she made her way into the US Open quarterfinals with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, her first ever win over the Czech veteran.
The American has dropped one set leading up to the quarterfinals and her consistency in the past year keeps paying off.
Head-to-head: Swiatek edges 2-1
Pegula’s only win over the World No.1 came at the Citi Open in Miami but Swiatek came out on top in their last two clashes, winning both in straight sets in the Miami Open semifinals in April and the French Open quarterfinals in June. Swiatek went all the way to clinch both titles.
Things are a little different right now as Swiatek seems to have lost some momentum. To beat Pegula, with a semifinal spot at stake, the Pole will need to channel the form which propelled her to a 37-match winning streak and six consecutive titles.
Since the streak ended, Swiatek has been blowing hot and cold. It is perfect timing for Pegula, who is playing at her home Slam and will be solidly backed by the partisan crowd. An upset could be on the cards here and Pegula could send the World No.1 packing earlier than she would have liked.
Swiatek however knows what she is up against and admitted this match could be a tricky one.
“She’s a great player. I know it’s going to be tough. We’re going to analyze for sure the previous matches. I think she has a game style that suits these courts.”
Whichever way it swings, one of these women will reach the US Open semifinals for the very first time.
Aryna Sabalenka v Karolina Pliskova
One of the most talented women on tour yet to make a Grand Slam final, Sabalenka found her way into the quarterfinals by coming from a set down to take out American Danielle Collins 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
It was not the first time the No.6 seed has needed to come from behind to win at this US Open. She was on the very brink of defeat in the second round against Kaia Kanepi, rallying from a set and 1-5 down to beat the Estonian 2-6, 7-6(8), 6-4, saving two match points on the way.
2016 runner-up Pliskova has also been made to battle her way here, playing three sets in three of her four matches so far at Flushing Meadows this year. The Czech went the distance against Magda Linette in the opening round, Belinda Bencic in the third round and Victoria Azarenka in the round of 16.
The big-hitting Czech has struggled with form multiple times this season but has gradually found her way back.
Head-to-head: 2-2
These two know how to battle. Three of their four meetings have gone into three sets, with the only straight sets win going Pliskova’s way during their last meeting in the Montreal semifinals last season. Pliskova has won their last two meetings and Sabalenka will be aiming for a first win over the Czech since 2018.
All season, Sabalenka’s serve has been shaky and the Belarusian has admitted that it is a cause for concern. She will need to minimize the double faults.
For Pliskova, her blistering serve, which has been her major weapon over the years, will be decisive if she is to get the win.
Coco Gauff v Caroline Garcia
It’s been milestone after milestone for Cori ‘Coco’ Gauff. After digging deep to defeat Shuai Zhang 7-5, 7-5 in the round of 16, the 18-year-old has become the youngest American woman to reach the US Open quarterfinals since Melanie Oudin in 2009. She has now made three Grand Slam quarterfinals.
“I’m so happy, being in my home Slam and finally getting to a quarter-final. This tournament has always been special for me, growing up watching it. I’m just so excited to continue to play and experience this atmosphere.” Gauff said with delight
For Garcia, it’s a first Grand Slam quarterfinal since Roland Garros and the Frenchwoman has certainly earned her place. Hitting form again in 2022 for the first time in a couple of years, she came to New York as the most in-form woman on tour after winning big at the Cincinnati Open. The 28-year-old has been convincing since the start of the tournament, winning all her matches so far in straight sets.
Head-to-head: Gauff leads 2-0
Gauff beat Garcia at Indian Wells last season and at the Qatar Open earlier this season. Things have changed, however, and Garcia is in much better form than she was during those two clashes.
To snap Garcia’s 12-match winning streak, Gauff will need to fight like she always does. Garcia has played less intense matches and will be bursting with energy.
Ons Jabeur v Ajla Tomljanovic
What has been an inspiring year for Jabeur continued as she made the US Open last eight for the first time. The Tunisian has become the first Arab woman to achieve this feat and the first African woman since South Africa’s Amanda Coetzer in 1998 to reach the US Open quarterfinals.
Jabeur keeps reaching new heights and is establishing herself as one of the toughest players to face on tour.
Tomljanovic probably was not given a chance when she came up against Serena Williams out in the third round, but the Aussie pulled it off nicely and has now backed that win up by beating in-form Liudmila Samsonova 7-6(8), 6-1 to make her first quarterfinal at Flushing Meadows.
Head-to-head: Jabeur leads 2-0
Jabeur will be looking to continue making history for herself, Tunisia and Africa as a whole and she is fast becoming one of the crowd favorites all around the tour. Her variety of shots could throw Tomljanovic off balance.
Tomljanovic appears more confident than ever, especially after her win against Serena. That could spur her to victory and a spot in her first Grand Slam semifinal.
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