By Tony Fairbairn
- Coco Gauff [4] v Iva Jovic [14]
- Learner Tien [14] v Karen Khachanov
- Elena Rybakina [2] v Naomi Osaka [13]
NEW YORK, USA – Coco Gauff will battle Iva Jovic in a thrilling fourth round contest as the fourth seed aims to keep her hopes of a second US Open title alive.
Coco Gauff [4] v Iva Jovic [14] H2H & Match Fundamentals
The title hopes of Coco Gauff remain alive after an impressive first week. The American is looking for her second title in New York and has carried the momentum from her title win in Cincinnati into the US Open. The fourth seed has been aggressive yet consistent so far at the US Open and has conserved enough energy to be able to mount a title charge in week two. Now, Gauff will be aiming to continue her run of form as bigger tests await for the two-time Grand Slam champion in her quest for more glory on home soil.
A severe test awaits Gauff in the form of rising star Iva Jovic. The future of tennis was on show in an Arthur Ashe thriller on Saturday night as Jovic outlasted Alexandra Eala in a three hour epic to book her place in the last 16. The American had to show her fighting ability as well as creativity to edge past Eala in what was one of the best matches of the tournament. Jovic will now hope to recover from that exhausting battle as she looks to score another incredible win and book her place in the quarter-finals.
Gauff will step in on the second serve return as she will look to take the match to Jovic. Meanwhile, Jovic will turn defence into attack with her forehand and will need to serve aggressively. This will be another late night classic in New York with Gauff using her experience and mentality to edge past Jovic with a quarter-final place at stake.
Prediction: Gauff in three sets.
Learner Tien [14] v Karen Khachanov H2H & Match Fundamentals
It was a five set thriller for Learner Tien who battled his way past Jakub Mensik in order to reach the last 16. The American has been on the rise and his mix of consistency, variety and power has been a massive threat to everyone over the last 12 months. Tien has put himself in the right positions on the tour to compete for trophies but has never been able to do that on the Grand Slam stage. Now, Tien has a big opportunity to finally achieve that and he won’t want to let this opportunity pass him by.
Next up for Tien is a big challenge in the form of former Grand Slam quarter-finalist Karen Khachanov. After a big win over last year’s semi-finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime, Khachanov went on to back up that win by defeating Benjamin Bonzi in straight sets. It seems like Khachanov is playing some impressive tennis and being under the radar has once again helped Khachanov pick up some form. Now, Khachanov will aim to continue his aggressive brand of tennis and book his place in the quarter-finals.
Tien will use the forehand to dictate play from the baseline and suffocate Khachanov’s baseline game. Meanwhile, Khachanov will serve aggressively and will step inside the baseline to dictate the rallies. This will be a tough match for the American but if Tien can continue to extend the rallies then Tien will have enough consistent opportunities to break and win this match.
Prediction: Tien in five sets.
Elena Rybakina [2] v Naomi Osaka [13] H2H & Match Fundamentals
Despite entering the US Open with injury doubts, Elena Rybakina has played some perfect tennis in New York so far. The Kazakh is yet to drop a set in the first week and has some big achievements in her sights in week two. Not only is Rybakina aiming to complete the hard court slam sweep this year but is hoping to become the new world number one by the end of the tournament. The question is does Rybakina have the consistency and the mental edge in important moments to win the title?
That question may get answered in the last 16 when she takes on Naomi Osaka. The two-time former champion has had to battle her way into the fourth round but has produced some stunning tennis in crucial moments to reach the second week. The 13th seed has struggled against big opponents at Grand Slams this season though and has failed to take her game up to the next level. However, Osaka will believe that she can right those wrongs in New York and score a big win at the US Open.
Rybakina will use the backhand to put Osaka on the backfoot and will step inside the baseline to hit efficient winners. Meanwhile Osaka will need to serve aggressively and will approach the net to keep the rallies short. This will be a match between two of the biggest serves on the tour with Rybakina doing enough in the crucial moments to secure the win.
Prediction: Rybakina in three sets.
How to Watch/Follow US Open 2026