Yanina Wickmayer vs Madison Keys Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA US Open

Prediction published on 30/08/2023, 09:00  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 30/08/2023 at 09:39 in Tennis Predictions

It's 14 years since Yanina Wickmayer reached the last four of the US Open. This year the Belgian is in the draw as a lucky loser and takes on 17th seeded Madison Keys in round two. The winner will face either 14th seeded Liudmilla Samsonova or unseeded Tamara Korpatsch in the last 32. Wickmayer was ranked as high as 12th in 2010 but began this tournament in 85th position. Her run to the second round has taken her up to 71st. That's a climb up the rankings that wasn't expected when struggling in the qualifying rounds. Her first match required the 33-year-old to come from a set down to beat Katherine Sebov. That was followed by a straight sets win over Harriet Dart but then disaster struck in the final qualifier. 3-1 down against Sachia Vickery in the first set, she retired  Withrawals led to her being reinstated and in the first round, the lucky loser beat qualifier Vera Zvonareva in straight sets. Wickmayer hasn't made it past round two of a Grand Slam since 2018 and not in New York for 13 years.

Madison Keys was the runner-up in the US Open in 2017 and reached the last four in the following year. Her best since then is a fourth round appearance in 2019. This year saw her get to the last eight at Wimbledon and the American was ranked 17th at the start of this final Grand Slam of the year. A win over Wickmayer will see her climb to 16th in the rankings. The American began this year by winning all five of her matches as she helped the USA win the United Cup, In singles tournaments, her one title in 2023 came on grass at Eastbourne. The quarter finals of the hard court Dubai tournament was reached and also the recent Washington event. We go for her to get a straight sets win over Wickmayer.