The first set of women’s singles quarterfinals at the 2022 US Open is scheduled for Tuesday. We have two quarterfinal pairs from the bottom half of the draw: Ons Jabeur vs. Ajla Tomljanovic and Coco Gauff vs. Caroline Garcia.
Ons Jabeur [5] vs. Ajla Tomljanovic quarterfinal
Head-to-head: Jabeur leads 2-0
Ons Jabeur is a favorite in this match-up, having won both their previous career meetings, including the one en route to the Rome final this May, and having spent three hours less on court this fortnight. However, Tomljanovic is no stranger to big victories recently. Besides ending the career of Serena Williams last week at the US Open, half of Tomljanovic’s six career Top 10 wins have come in the past year — over No.6 Garbine Muguruza (2021 Indian Wells), No.5 Anett Kontaveit (2022 Roland Garros), and No.4 Paula Badosa (2022 Cincinnati).
The world No.46 Tomljanovic has won 17 of her past 21 matches, but the stat that doesn’t work in her favor is that she has lost her past six quarterfinal matches, including three at Grand Slams. Moreover, the Australian is bidding to win five consecutive Tour-level main-draw matches for the first time in her career.
Both players are appearing in their first US Open quarterfinals, but Jabeur has more experience in progressing far at Grand Slams, as she recently played the final at Wimbledon.
Ranking projections: Jabeur can rise as high as No.3 by reaching the quarterfinals, while depending on other results she can ascend to No.2 if she makes the semifinals. Tomljanovic is projected to reach a career-high ranking of No.34, while a win today in Arthur Ashe Stadium would propel her into the Top 25.
Coco Gauff [12] vs. Caroline Garcia [17] quarterfinal
Head-to-head: Gauff leads 2-0
Gauff defeated Garcia in their both previous career meetings, including their last encounter at Doha in February. They are both competing in their maiden US Open quarterfinals, while Gauff has achieved more success at majors overall, having played the 2022 Roland Garros final.
Garcia has dropped just 20 games en route to the US Open quarterfinals and has won five straight matches against Top 20 opponents this summer. Even though she spent about 50 minutes more than her upcoming opponent on the court, the 18-year-old Gauff demonstrated impressive movement, immense will power and sharp focus in her matches in New York. We can say that the American teenager has the edge to extend her perfect record against the Frenchwoman.
The world No.17 Garcia leads the Hologic WTA Tour in aces this season with 312, but the world No.12 Gauff has recently entered history books — she recorded the third-fastest serve in the US Open history (128 mph) while fending off a break point against Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the second round last week.
Ranking projections: Gauff will make a Top 10 debut after the US Open, while Garcia has a chance to enter the Top 10 if she reaches the semifinals. Let me remind you, Garcia has been as low as world No.79 earlier this summer. (photos: Jimmie48)
