Day 5 on the 2026 US Open options high American Coco Gauff and different fan favorites like Naomi Osaka on the match card. Our panelists supply their previews and predictions for each matchup in males’s and ladies’s singles on Thursday.
Coco Gauff vs Paula Badosa
Tope: Paula Badosa arrives unbroken and battle-tested after grinding out 9 match factors in opposition to Daria Kasatkina, whereas Coco Gauff seems to be sharp however not but dominant after a workmanlike win over Sonmez. With a 5-3 head-to-head edge and back-to-back wins over Gauff, together with a comeback in Berlin, Badosa seems to be just like the final participant the fourth seed needs to see this early, however she ought to nonetheless advance in New York.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Steen: 14-16 at tour stage on the season, Badosa stays at the least two years faraway from her greatest tennis. Gauff has been dominant this summer time, with only a loss to Rybakina in Toronto. Gauff ought to have a cushty second spherical contest.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Marie Bouzkova vs Harriet Dart
Tope: Harriet Dart holds the only real head-to-head win from a three-set battle at Eastbourne in 2024, although the pair have by no means met on a tough courtroom earlier than. Given Bouzkova’s rating edge and hard-court kind, the Czech ought to have sufficient firepower to avenge that grass-court defeat and attain spherical three.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Steen: Bouzkova has already hit a profession greatest for WTA wins this yr. Dart has been fairly robust in qualifying however has doubtless run out of highway right here regardless of holding the h2h edge.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Tatjana Maria vs Nikola Bartunkova
Tope: This would be the first-ever tour assembly between each gamers, and whereas Bartunkova arrives in higher kind, the 39-year-old Maria will lean on craft, selection, and big-match nerve to attempt to spoil the Czech’s cost, and I feel she will be able to.
Prediction: Maria in 3
Steen: age 39, with 18 tour stage wins this yr, Maria is a marvel, Bartunkova, 20, is at a profession excessive rating and enjoying one of the best tennis of her life although. A semifinalist in Monterrey, she’s gained 19 tour stage matches this yr and must be the fitter participant who can outwit Maria.
Prediction: Bartunkova in 3
Iva Jovic vs Francesca Jones
Tope: 14th seed Iva Jovic faces Francesca Jones, who simply gutted out a three-setter over Magda Linette. The American’s firepower must be an excessive amount of for Jones to unravel in her first style of round-two Flushing Meadows warmth. Jovic in two, however don’t anticipate Jones to go quietly after that sort of grinder to get right here.
Prediction: Jovic in 2
Steen: 32-18 and at a profession excessive rating, there’s lots to assume positively about on the subject of Jovic proper now. Fran Jones got here by qualifying and is trying to return to the highest 100. Jones will not be a straightforward opponent to beat, however Jovic has a extra versatile recreation.
Prediction: Jovic in 2
Primary Photograph Credit score: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Photographs
