Damien Kayat previews Aryna Sabalenka vs Qinwen Zheng and Coco Gauff vs Karoline Muchova in selected Quarterfinal and Semifinal matches of the US Open Women’s Championships, on the 6th and 8th of September 2023.
2023 WTA Tour
Grand Slam Tennis
US Open Women’s Championships
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, New York, USA (Outdoor Hardcourt)
Selected Quarterfinal and Semi-final preview – 6th-8th September
Quarterfinal- 6th September
Aryna Sabalenka 27/100 | Qinwen Zheng 14/5
Isn’t it funny that people still considered Aryna Sabalenka a bit of an underachiever 12 months ago. Now the hard-hitting Belarusian will be looking to reach her 5th consecutive Grand Slam semi-final (winning her first career Slam at this year’s Aussie Open).
She has largely overcome those pesky serving demons that always seemed to creep up in during those high-pressure moments. Her consistency has been such that she will actually displace Iga Swiatek as World No.1 following this tournament.
And she was in ruthless mode against Daria Kasatkina, outclassing the Russian baseliner with her brutal groundstrokes. This has been one of the most dominant performances I have ever seen at a Slam. Sabalenka is yet to drop a set and hasn’t lost more than five games in any of her matches.
20-year-old Chinese star Qinwen Zheng is truly one for the future. She is a baselining machine who has worn down every single opponent thus far. She was particularly impressive against last year’s beaten finalist Ons Jabeur, easily seeing off the Tunisian to advance to her maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal.
It was a pretty miraculous result as she only managed to get 45% of her first serves in play. Zheng has outperformed expectations in New York after a solid- if unspectacular season. She reached the semi-finals in Abu Dhabi before reaching a maiden WTA 1000 quarterfinal in Rome.
She won her first WTA title in Palermo before pushing Swiatek to three sets in Cincinnati. There is something of Emma Radacanu in the young Chinese player. She likes to take the ball early and keep points short.
But she is going to need to drastically improve those serving numbers if she doesn’t want to face a massacre against the in-form Belarusian.
Verdict: Sabalenka to win in three
This will be the first career meeting between these two. As I said, Zheng will undoubtedly need to serve much better this time out. Sabalenka may also feel some serving yips going into this as such an overwhelming favourite.
I think Zheng is a more dangerous opponent than Kasatkina on these surfaces. She is more aggressive and will look to hit the ball on the up. Sabalenka does tend to get slightly scratchier as we approach the business end of Slams.
So, I do think Zheng will have her opportunities in this match. Perhaps a three-set win for Sabalenka offers a realistic chance of getting some value.
Semi-final- 8th September
Coco Gauff 8/15 | Karoline Muchova 29/20
This could be Coco Gauff’s time. It’s almost hard to believe that the young American is still just 19 years of age. I guess that’s what happens when you burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old.
Gauff’s game has evolved tremendously during this North American hardcourt swing and I think this was aided immeasurably by a series of coaching shake-ups. She dispensed of Diego Monyana earlier this year and hired Brad Gilbert to help her take the next step forward.
And boy has it worked. She is now 16-1 in her last four tournaments (winning titles in Washington and Cincinnati). She looks far more aggressive and her forehand seems crisper. She even had the self-confidence to publicly chastise Brad Gilbert during her victory over comeback queen Caroline Wozniacki.
She just blew the mercurial Ostapenko off the court and she will be looking to make it to her 2nd Grand Slam final. She will be desperate to finally prove the naysayers wrong following her tame defeat to Swiatek in last year’s French Open final.
Karolina Muchova was equally dominant in her quarterfinal clash, routing veteran Sorana Cirstea 6-0, 6-3. It was a brilliant performance that really highlighted her all-court prowess.
Her backhand- whether hit cross-court or fiercely down the line- was exceptional throughout. And she looked accomplished when she approached the net to put pressure on the nervous Romanian (a tactic she will no doubt return to against Gauff on occasion). The Czech is in the form of her life following runs to the French Open and Cincinnati finals.
She doesn’t seem to feel pressure, going gung-ho in the most critical moments of matches. She has only dropped one set this tournament and she will fancy playing anyone at present. Sidenote: with Maketa Vondrousova in the other half of the draw there is still a chance of an all-Czech US Open final.
Verdict: Muchova to win in straight-sets
Gauff won their only previous meeting at the recent Cincinnati Open, cruising past the Czech in a one-sided final. But I have a feelin things are going to be a little different here. I was just extremely impressed with Muchova against Cirstea. The fluidity of that backhand was a joy to behold and that could put plenty of pressure on Gauff.
There’s also the question of pressure. Muchova plays some of her best tennis under pressure while there’s still lingering doubts about Gauff’s temperament under extreme duress.
