Day 5 on the 2026 US Open options Alexandra Eala and different fan favorites like Naomi Osaka on the match card. Our panelists provide their previews and predictions for each matchup in males’s and girls’s singles on Thursday.
Alexandra Eala vs Oleksandra Oliynykova
Tope: Oliynykova enters with the 1-0 head-to-head edge and recent confidence after grinding previous Brantmeier within the opener, however this seems like a special take a look at totally on laborious courts. Eala’s flatter, extra aggressive strikes ought to translate much better to New York’s faster floor than that Strasbourg clay, making the in-form Filipino the slim favourite to stage the collection.
Prediction: Eala in 2
Steen: Each match Eala performs includes a raucous crowd as of late, and she or he’s now 32-19 at tour stage this season. Oliynykova is at a close to profession excessive rating and has moved to 23-17 on the season. This must be a aggressive matchup however Eala is the larger hitter and the momentum is behind her in New York.
Prediction: Eala in 2
Madison Keys vs Anna Bondar
Tope: Madison Keys eased previous a tough opener in opposition to 19-year-old Alina Korneeva, firing 21 winners in a 7-5 6-4 win regardless of dropping serve 4 instances. Now she’ll look to sharpen that service sport in opposition to Anna Bondar, who cruised previous Lucie Havlickova. Keys holds an ideal 1-0 head-to-head over the Hungarian, having overwhelmed her in Charleston again in April, and can fancy her possibilities of piling strain on Bondar’s serve as soon as once more.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Steen: Keys already surpassed 30 wins this season and has been a strong participant. Bondar has 21 your stage wins and has reached her greatest outcomes each as a professional, however that stage continues to be beneath Keys on most days.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Nadia Podoroska
Tope: Iga Swiątek’s heavy baseline energy ought to pin Podoroska deep and expose her lateral limits on laborious courts, establishing repeated service breaks. Anticipate a lopsided, fast win for Swiątek.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Steen: 34-13 on the season and a semifinalist in Cincinnati, Swiatek needs to be one of many high favorites to win the US Open. Podoroska was final a mainstay on the WTA Tour in 2024 and must be outmatched right here.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Qinwen Zheng vs Yulia Putintseva
Tope: Zheng’s brute firepower and blazing 80% win-rate momentum must be sufficient to blast by Putintseva’s scrappy counter-punching, so count on the Kazakh to stretch this one earlier than folding. Zheng’s US Open kind has her enjoying at a special stage proper now, and that’s the difference-maker over their clay-court historical past.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
Steen: Zheng got here by qualifying and is displaying shades of the elite participant she as soon as was. Putintseva at age 31, has been a gentle 16-15 on the season. She’s dependable on most days, however Zheng has way more upside and may come out forward.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
Major Photograph Credit score: Geoff Burke-Imagn Photos
