US Open 2021 Round 3 Predictions: Comfortable Victories or Shocking Upsets?

A packed crowd in New York City creates the perfect atmosphere for terrific thrillers. The final grand slam of the year is in full flow. Will Day 4 in the US Open witness more upsets or will the seeds hold forte?

SportCo overviews some jaw-dropping third-round matches and predicts the outcomes for the same!

1) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Carlos Alcaraz Garfia: First Meeting

The Greek was booed by the fans again after a long bathroom break (8 minutes) after losing the 3rd set to Adrian Mannarino. However, the 3rd seed got his focus back by bageling the Frenchman in the 4th set. 

On the other hand, Alcaraz is in ruthless form in Flushing Meadows. The Spaniard stunned 26th seed, Cameron Norrie, in straight sets in the first round. Coached by ex-World number 1, Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 18-year-old defeated 83rd-ranked Arthur Rinderknech in 4 sets. 

Stefanos Tsitsipas has smashed 46 aces in just 2 matches. His big serve will help him handle the crunch moments. Alcaraz fired 40 winners against Arthur in the round of 64. His fast groundstrokes along with his strong forehand will control the rallies from the baseline. 

US Open 2021 Round 3 Predictions: Stefanos Tsitsipas to win in 4 sets against Carlos Alcaraz Garfia. 

2) Naomi Osaka vs Leylah Fernandez: First Clash on the WTA Tour

Naomi Osaka will be fresh after Serbian Olga Danilovic gave a walkover in the second round. The World number 145 withdrew from the tournament due to a non-Covid-19 related illness. 

Leylah is yet to lose a set after winning comfortably against Ana Konjuh and Kaia Kanepi in the first 2 rounds. At just 18 years, the Canadian is breaking shackles. Currently ranked 73, the southpaw won 80% of her first-serve points.  

The pressure of being a defending champion will impact Naomi Osaka’s chances. The Japanese star will use her powerful groundstrokes to dent Leylah’s counterpunching game. Expect the match to have intense rallies with a few points separating the loser from the victory.

US Open 2021: Round 3 Predictions: Naomi Osaka to win in 3 sets against Leylah Fernandez.

3) Daniil Medvedev vs Pablo Andujar: First encounter 

2nd seed Medvedev crushed Dominik Koepfer 6-4 6-1 6-2 in the round of 64. The former Flushing Meadows runner-up clinched a solid 80% of his first-serve points. 

The Russian smashed 23 winners against the German in the 108-minute encounter. He has also won 13 out of his last 15 matches. 

After surviving a close 5-setter against Mikhail Kukushkin in the first round, Andujar demolished Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4 6-3 6-1. 

At 35, the Spaniard is in the final phase of his career. 25-year-old Medvedev has an unorthodox game that can trouble Pablo. The World number 2 would capitalize on the weak second serve of Andujar and come through a tough test. 

US Open 2021: Round 3 Predictions: Daniil Medvedev to win in 4 sets against Pablo Andujar

4) Aryna Sabalenka vs Danielle Collins: Sabalenka leads H2H 2-0

3 years after they locked horns in a three-setter in New York, Sabalenka will face Collins again. The 2nd seed outplayed Slovenian Tamara Zidansek 6-3 6-1 in the second round. 

The Belarusian is nursing a right-hand injury after a severe fall. Aryna would have to reduce her double fault count (14 in 2 matches). 

Danielle Collins is yet to drop a set after conceding 6 games each in her first 2 matches. The American has won an average of 87.5% of her first-serve points and 86.5% of her second-serve points respectively. 

She will also be eying revenge after the Belarusian crushed her 6-1 6-0 in the Wuhan Open in September 2019. 

If Sabalenka faces fitness issues, Collins may edge her in an edge-of-the-seat thriller. Expect some power-hitting to decide the winner. 

US Open 2021: Round 3 Predictions: Danielle Collins to win in 3 sets against Aryna Sabalenka

5) Andrey Rublev vs Frances Tiafoe: First Meeting

5 years after they were doubles partners in the Dallas ATP Challenger, Rublev and Tiafoe will cross swords. 

The 5th-seeded Andrey used his big serve to take out the 75th-ranked Pedro Martinez in 4 sets. Rublev dropped his level in the second-set tie-breaker (lost 7-6(5). 

However, he bounced back to win the 3rd and 4th sets 6-1 6-1. Overall, the World number 7 pounded 67 winners. 

As an incredible athlete, Tiafoe is using his scintillating shotmaking to do the job. He took out Guido Pella 6-1 6-2 7-5 in the second round. With 26 aces in the first 2 rounds, Frances is relying on the crowd’s energy and is outwitting his opponents with clever passing shots. 

This match will go the distance with Rublev’s efficiency from the baseline facing off against Tiafoe’s speedy returns. Expect Andrey to use his big-match experience and overcome the homeboy’s resistance. 

US Open 2021: Round 3 Predictions: Andrey Rublev to win in 5 sets against Frances Tiafoe

6) Garbine Muguruza vs Victoria Azarenka: 2-2 H2H

A battle of multi-grand slam champions, this match could not get any better. Muguruza routed Andrea Petkovic 6-4 6-2 in the 2nd round. The Spaniard had a shaky first and second serve % of 57 and 50 respectively in the previous match. 

Azarenka has been in good touch with two straight-set wins. The 18th seed won 6-3 7-6(3) against Italian Jasmine Paolini in the round of 64. The Belarusian is a 3-time finalist in the US Open (2012, 2013, and 2020). With a better first serve, Victoria would be victorious against the World number 10. 

US Open 2021: Round 3 Predictions: Victoria Azarenka to win in 3 sets against Garbine Muguruza

Dear fans, who are your choices for a high-octane Day 5 at the US Open? Do post your views below.