US Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions Including Coco Gauff vs Ajla Tomljanovic

The first round of women’s singles at the US Open wraps up on Tuesday, Day 3 of the event. There are 20 matches remaining to be contested, and our writers here at LastWordOnTennis share their thoughts on them. We split the 20 matches between five articles. The other four feature Naomi Osaka vs Greet Minnen, Iga Swiatek vs Emiliana Arango, Amanda Anisimova vs Clara Burel, and Danielle Collins vs Jaqueline Cristian. Predicting these matches are Tope Oke, Jordan Reynolds, and Ilemona Onekutu. Who do you think will advance?

US Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions

Sorana Cirstea vs Solana Sierra

Tope:
Since losing the Cincinnati quarterfinal to Iga Swiatek, Cirstea has embarked on seven-match winning streak, en route to the Cleveland title without dropping a single set. It will be impossible to overlook her here.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2

Jordan:
35-year-old Cirstea played some of the best tennis of her career to win the title in Cleveland as a qualifier without dropping a set. However, the Romanian has been inconsistent throughout her career. That success in Cleveland actually makes me more convinced she will struggle in this matchup.
Prediction: Sierra in 3

Ilemona:
Cirstea has built a reputation for producing strong results on North American hard courts, and her recent form reflects that. Sierra, though talented, is new to this stage and hasn’t built much of a hard-court résumé. If the Romanian brings her usual baseline aggression, her edge in experience could make the difference.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2

Diana Shnaider vs Laura Siegemund

Tope:
Diana Shnaider is another player who moved from a Cincinnati loss to capturing a title–in Monterrey. While she’s the favorite against Laura Siegemund, I have a feeling she might bite the loss-after-a-title bullet, especially against a player she hasn’t defeated before.
Prediction: Siegemund in 3

Jordan:
Shnaider, last week’s champion in Monterrey, cannot afford any complacency here. Siegemund is among the most awkward opponents to face in the women’s game, and had an outstanding run at Wimbledon. I think the rising star will have enough to see off this challenge with her powerful game.
Prediction: Shnaider in 3

Ilemona:
Shnaider’s aggressive lefty game has translated well to hard courts this season, and she’s arriving with confidence from recent wins. Siegemund, while crafty and resourceful, has historically been more at home on slower surfaces. Their only meeting went Siegemund’s way, but that was two years ago and the quicker conditions could tilt things in Shnaider’s way here.
Prediction: Shnaider in 2

Marta Kostyuk vs Katie Boulter

Tope:
Katie Boulter has faced Marta Kostyuk once before, in the 2024 WTA San Diego final, where she rallied to win. Kostyuk aims to build on her third-round performance at the Open from the previous year, while Boulter is looking to reach the second round again, as she did in 2024. Both players are primarily adept on hard courts, which should make this match one to watch. Eventually, I expect Boulter to find a way to record another win over the Ukrainian.
Prediction: Boulter in 3

Jordan:
This is a fascinating matchup. The lively conditions at the US Open should help Boulter’s attacking style more. It could be tight, but the quick courts might make it too challenging for Kostyuk to defend well for the entire match.
Prediction: Boulter in 3

Ilemona:
Marta Kostyuk has put together a solid summer, showing flashes of her shot-making and movement that make her dangerous on hard courts. Boulter has enjoyed a breakthrough season too, with confidence high after some deep runs earlier this year but hasn’t managed a deep run since the European clay swing. Their head-to-head is close, and this could go either way depending on who manages their nerves better in the big moments.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3

Coco Gauff vs Ajla Tomljanovic

Tope:
Coco Gauff’s incredible athleticism and impressive variety of shots make her a formidable competitor on hard courts, and it is expected that she will establish control from the outset and maintain it throughout the match. A straight sets win against Tomljanovic is certainly a reasonable expectation in front of raucous home support.
Prediction: Gauff in 2

Jordan:
Dominating opponents with her backhand is Tomljanovic’s most common route to victory. She will not be able to do that against Gauff. The Australian’s forehand is also too weak to exploit her opponent’s vulnerability off that wing.
Prediction: Gauff in 2

Ilemona:
Both players arrive with different kinds of momentum: Gauff has been steady all season on hard courts, while Tomljanovic is still searching for rhythm after her comeback from injuries but the Australian’s experience means rallies could stretch out if she finds her timing. Still, youth and consistency might have the final say.
Prediction: Gauff in 2