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Match details
Fixture: Karolina Muchova vs Sorana Cirstea
Date: 5 September 2020
Tournament: US Open 2020
Round: Third round (Round of 32)
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York, USA
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize money: $39,024,000
Match timing: 12.30 pm EDT, 10 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel / ESPN | India - Star Sports / Disney+ Hotstar VIP
Karolina Muchova vs Sorana Cirstea preview
20th seed Karolina Muchova will hope to continue her good run of form when she takes on Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in the third round of the 2020 US Open.
A lot has been expected of the 24-year-old Czech ever since she made the quarterfinals at Wimbledon last year. She couldn’t match that performance in the next couple of Majors, but has a golden opportunity to do so now.
Muchova has been very consistent with her game so far at the US Open. She dominated Venus Williams as well as Anna Kalinskaya, winning both her matches in straight sets.
Sorana Cirstea is a player that many had high hopes from a few years ago. The Romanian had registered impressive victories in the early part of her career, but a series of injuries derailed her progress. Cirstea has struggled to find enough consistency to get to the top of the game ever since.
The Romanian endured a disastrous 2020 prior to the US Open, winning just one main-draw match all year. However, by defeating Christina McHale and the in-form Johanna Konta, Cirstea has made quite a few heads turn in New York.
The Romanian produced some of her best tennis against Konta, especially at the crunch moments deep in the third set. The performance showed in no uncertain terms the improvements she’s made in the mental as well as physical parts of her game.
Karolina Muchova vs Sorana Cirstea head-to-head
The head-to-head between Karolina Muchova and Sorana Cirstea currently stands at 0-0, as the two women have never played each other.
Karolina Muchova vs Sorana Cirstea prediction
Karolina Muchova’s game is not only easy on the eye but also effective on the court. The Czech often makes the toughest of shots look ridiculously easy with her crafty wrist-work.
Muchova is not a big advocate of first-strike tennis but instead relies on her phenomenal variety to push her opponents into a corner. Against Venus Williams, she employed her backhand slice to great effect, leaving the legendary American flat-footed on a number of occasions.
That, however, won’t be as easy to do against Cirstea, who is moving incredibly well this week.
But the Romanian's attacking instincts often lead her to rush into her shots, causing a plethora of errors off both wings. That is something Muchova will look to exploit by keeping the Romanian engaged in long rallies.
Even though Cirstea’s serve and groundstrokes have a bit more power, Muchova would not be greatly bothered by either. The Czech is an excellent all-court player who can keep the ball in play with her nimble footwork, exceptional retrieving and lightning speed.
Karolina Muchova's great variety and resilience could wear down Cirstea on both fronts, giving her the win.
Prediction: Karolina Muchova to win in three sets.
