Saturday’s schedule features top names such as Rafael Nadal, Iga Swiatek, and Carlos Alcaraz. But the day’s tightest contests may be the matches where seeded players clash. And one of those encounters is a battle of two-time Major champions, as Garbine Muguruza faces Petra Kvitova.
Throughout the tournament, this preview will analyze the day’s four most prominent matches, while highlighting the other notable matches on the schedule. Saturday’s play begins at 11:00am local time.
Garbine Muguruza (9) vs. Petra Kvitova (21) – 11:00am on Louis Armstrong Stadium
Neither of these champions have been in top form this year, but recently, they have shown glimpses of their best stuff. Muguruza arrived in New York with a record of 9-14 on the year, but has already earned straight-set victories over two young promising players (Tauson, Fruhvirtova). Likewise, Kvitova started the year 10-12, but found her form on the grass, winning the title in Eastbourne. And just a few weeks ago, she reached the final in Cincinnati, defeating names like Ons Jabeur and Madison Keys. Their head-to-head has been quite lopsided. Garbine took their first meeting seven years ago at the WTA Finals, but Petra has taken the last five, including a fourth round match at this event in 2017. Based on that history, as well as Kvitova’s recent results, Petra is the favorite to win her sixth consecutive match in this rivalry.
Denis Shapovalov (19) vs. Andrey Rublev (9) – Second on Grandstand
After defeating Rafael Nadal in Rome, Shapovalov promptly went on a six-match losing streak, and lost nine of his next 10 matches. But perhaps he’s beginning to turn things around. Denis defeated Grigor Dimitrov and Tommy Paul in Cincinnati, and while he required nine sets in his first two rounds here, he survived them. Rublev is a strong 38-14 this season, yet had lost three of his last four matches coming into this tournament. Like Denis, Andrey also endured a five-setter this week. They have split four previous meetings, all on hard courts. Both are former quarterfinalists at this event, and both love to bludgeon the ball. Without much separating these two, I give the slight edge to Rublev, as he’s been the better performer across the last several months.
Diego Schwartzman (14) vs. Frances Tiafoe (22) – Not Before 2:00pm on Louis Armstrong Stadium
Tiafoe is likely disappointed this match is scheduled during the day instead of at night, as he thrives performing under the lights, especially in front of American audiences. But he’ll still have a big audience inside the US Open’s second biggest stadium. Frances is vying to reach the round of 16 in New York for the third straight year. 52 weeks ago, he overcame Rublev at this event in a thrilling five-setter. However, the American has suffered some heartbreaking losses of late: to David Goffin in five sets at Wimbledon, to Nick Kyrgios despite holding five match points in Washington, and to Taylor Fritz after leading the third set 4-0 in Montreal. Schwartzman is having a solid yet unspectacular year, especially on hard courts, where he was just 7-6 coming into this tournament. And Diego benefited from the retirement of Jack Sock in the opening round. Schwartzman is 2-1 against Tiafoe, though they’re 1-1 on hard courts. On this surface, and in front of a partisan New York crowd, Frances should be favored to gain another big victory at the Open. It feels as if Tiafoe is due for another big win.
Karolina Pliskova (22) vs. Belinda Bencic (13) – Third on Grandstand
It’s a two-time Major finalist against the Tokyo Olympics gold medalist. Pliskova missed the first two months of this season due to a hand injury, and struggled until the summer hard court season began, advancing to the semifinals in Toronto. But she’s reached the quarterfinals or better of the US Open in four of the last six years. Bencic was also a quarterfinalist a year ago, and a semifinalist in her last appearance before that. Belinda is 33-15 in 2022, and advanced to the semis of Miami six months ago. Their only prior matchup occurred three years ago at Indian Wells, when Bencic prevailed in three. In another of many matches on the day that could easily go either way, Pliskova’s power makes her the favorite on these fast courts.
Other Notable Matches on Saturday:
Jenson Brooksby vs. Carlos Alcaraz (3) – Brooksby reached the fourth round a year ago, and took out Cincinnati champ Borna Coric in straight sets on Thursday, saving seven set points in the second set. Alcaraz is yet to drop a set, and has advanced to the second week at three of the last four Majors.
Richard Gasquet vs. Rafael Nadal (2) – Nadal has appeared a bit vulnerable thus far, dropping a set in each of his first two matches. But he is 17-0 against Gasquet, and claimed their last 31 sets.
Iga Swiatek (1) vs. Lauren Davis – Swiatek has only dropped nine games through four sets, and defeated another American, Sloane Stephens, in the last round. Davis has survived consecutive three-setters, but is 0-4 in the third round at Slams.
Alize Cornet vs. Danielle Collins (19) – Cornet upset defending champion Emma Raducanu in the first round, and as per ESPN’S Chris McKendry, has won her last seven matches at Majors against top 20 players, a group Collins is currently a part of. Collins eliminated Naomi Osaka in the first round, and of course was the runner-up this past January at the Australian Open. In the quarterfinals of that event, she defeated Cornet in straight sets.
Saturday’s full Order of Play is here.
