US Open 2024 qualifying: Elizabeth Mandlik vs Jessika Ponchet preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: Elizabeth Mandlik vs Jessika Ponchet
Date: Thursday, August 22, 2024
Tournament: US Open 2024
Round: Third Round (Qualifying)
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
Elizabeth Mandlik vs Jessika Ponchet preview
Home favorite Elizabeth Mandlik is set to face France's Jessika Ponchet in the final round of qualifying for a spot in the US Open main draw on Thursday, August 22.
At the Liberma Open on the WTA tour this year, she navigated through the qualifiers but lost in the first round to Celine Naef. In her last WTA event, the Baranquilla Open, she lost in in the R16 to Tatjana Maria in three sets. Her results on the Challenger and ITF circuits have also been modest, with her best showing being a semifinal appearance at the ITF USTA W75 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Mandlik has been in outstanding form at Flushing Meadows this year, however, having yet to drop a set. She started her campaign with a surprising 6-3, 6-4 victory over 27th seed Sara Bejlek. She maintained that momentum in the second round, defeating Miriam Bjorklund with a 6-4, 6-4 scoreline.
Ponchet, meanwhile, has made three appearances on the WTA tour this year and has yet to secure her first match win. She advanced through the qualifiers in Austin and 's-Hertogenbosch but lost in the first round to Diane Parry and Aleksandra Krunic, respectively. She also received a wildcard at the French Open but was defeated in the first round by Leylah Fernandez.
At Flushing Meadows, Ponchet started her campaign with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 victory over seventh seed Jana Fett. In her second-round match against Lucija Ciric Bagaric, Ponchet began strongly but faced a challenge in a tightly contested second set. She ultimately prevailed in a close tiebreaker, winning 6-1, 7-6(2).
Elizabeth Mandlik vs Jessika Ponchet head-to-head
Elizabeth Mandlik edges Jessika Ponchet 1-0 in their head-to-head, winning that encounter earlier this year in the first round of qualification at the Madrid Open.
Elizabeth Mandlik vs Jessika Ponchet odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Elizabeth Mandlik vs Jessika Ponchet prediction
Both Elizabeth Mandlik and Jessika Ponchet have impressed in the qualifiers despite coming into the event with less-than-stellar seasons.
Mandlik has been solid from both wings at the back of the court and has shown reliability on serve. Her tenacity and court coverage have been crucial to her successful run and could serve her well going forward.
Ponchet, meanwhile, has used her height and experience to good use this week. She's served incredibly well, averaging 74% points won behind her first serve and 10 aces across her opening two matches.
While there is no outright favorite heading into this encounter, Ponchet's experience and better gameplay for the fast hardcourts could see her ultimately edge ahead.
Pick Ponchet in three sets.