US Open 2024: Iga Swiatek vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova preview, head-to-head, prediction and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (1) Iga Swiatek vs (25) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Date: August 31, 2024
Tournament: US Open 2024
Round: Third Round (Round of 32)
Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, U.S.
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $75,000,000
Live Telecast: USA - ESPN | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN, RDS | India - Sony Network
Iga Swiatek vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova preview
Top seed Iga Swiatek will lock horns with 25th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in a highly anticipated third-round clash at the 2024 US Open on Saturday, August 31.
Swiatek began her campaign in Flushing Meadows against Russian youngster Kamilla Rakhimova and took the lead by winning the opening set. Rakhimova presented a tough challenge in the second, but she eventually emerged victorious in a closely-contested tiebreaker to seal a 6-4, 7-6 (6) win.
In the second round, Swiatek faced Ena Shibahara and delivered a masterful performance, losing only one game in a 6-0, 6-1 rout that took just 1 hour and 5 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Pavlyuchenkova, on the other hand, started her campaign impressively, conceding just two games in a 6-2, 6-0 demolition of Australian teen Taylah Preston in the first round.
The Russian then faced Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the second round and trailed after losing the opening set 5-7. However, she regrouped immediately and dominated the match from then on, securing a 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 victory.
Iga Swiatek vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova head-to-head
Iga Swiatek leads Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 1-0 in their head-to-head, thrashing the Russian 6-0, 6-0 in Rome last year.
Iga Swiatek vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova odds
(Odds to be added once available)
Iga Swiatek vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova prediction
Swiatek is gradually rediscovering her best form in New York after a lackluster lead-up to the final major of the year. She was tested in her opening match but sailed through her second-round encounter with ease. From the start, she dominated on serve, winning an impressive 83% of points behind her first serve and not facing a single break point. Her net play was impeccable, as she won 86% of points when moving forward. Additionally, she converted 5 of 9 break-point opportunities and won 56% of her receiving points.
Pavlyuchenkova, meanwhile, breezed through her opener but faced a serious test in her previous round. After losing the first set, she showed remarkable composure and mental strength to come back and dominate the second and third sets.
Her powerful hitting earned her 44 winners out of 106 total points, along with 4 aces. She was also exceptional at the net, winning 80% of points when moving forward. She was solid on the return all match, winning 52% of receiving points and breaking serve 7 times out of 10.
Swiatek heads into this encounter the firm favorite to go through given her better record at the venue. She has an 18-4 record and has won the crown once in 2022. Pavlyuchenkova, meanwhile, has a 22-14 record at the venue and has made it as far as the quarterfinals. She has, however, progressed past the third round just once in the last 10-odd years.
Swiatek's overall superior hardcourt record this year and his incredible form in Grand Slams should also play in her favor as she continues her quest for a 6th overall major.
Pick: Swiatek in straight sets.