US Open: Maria Sakkari vs Emma Raducanu 9/9/21 Tennis Prediction

Maria Sakkari (17) of Greece will face the unseeded Emma Raducanu of Great Britain in the Semi-Finals of the 2021 US Open. The match is scheduled to be played on Thursday September 9th, 2021 at approximately 8:15pm EST.

A blockbuster of a match is expected here at the 2021 US Open as Maria Sakkari and Emma Raducanu do battle for a spot in Saturday’s Final. Both women have been exceptional so far here in New York, with Raducanu becoming the first Qualifier to ever reach the Semis at the US Open. Sakkari is known as one of the most consistent performers on the WTA Tour, can the teenager cause yet another shocking upset to reach the Final?

Maria Sakkari is the 17th seed here at the 2021 US Open and is currently ranked #18 on the WTA Tour. The Greek has been much improved over the past two seasons and has become one of the most consistent players in the world. After her breakthrough performance in reaching the Semis at Roland Garros she has not taken off like many people expected, and came into the US Open in mixed form. A First Round loss in Cincinnati would not have done her confidence much good but she has shrugged that off and has reached the Semis here in convincing fashion. Big wins over Petra Kvitova, Bianca Andreescu and Karolina Pliskova will have allowed her to regain her confidence, and she is striking the ball cleanly and powerfully. With her experience she should be considered the favorite here but Emma Raducanu is playing fearless tennis and will be a very tough opponent, especially with the crowd behind her.

Emma Raducanu is currently ranked #150 in the world and has become the first Qualifier, male or female to have reached the Semi-Finals at the US Open. Like fellow teenage sensation Leylah Fernandez she has played outstanding tennis with maturity beyond her years, and has stormed to the Semi-Finals here in New York. She is also yet to lose a set, and really has not been tested much despite playing several highly rated opponents. She stunned Olympic Gold Medalist Belinda Bencic 6-3, 6-4 and really controlled the match from start to finish. There were a few nervy moments especially on serve but she handled those extremely well and will be supremely confident heading into this match against Maria Sakkari. While she is the underdog she is playing freely and seemingly without pressure, and has every chance of winning this match.

This is set to be a thrilling match and is not one that tennis fans will want to miss. Both women have been playing very well and have a chance to advance to their first ever Grand Slam Final. While Sakkari is the obvious favorite due to her big advantage in experience, Emma Raducanu has embraced the pressure here in New York and the crowd really is behind her. I am expecting a huge battle with this match likely going to three sets, and I think that the young British star will have just enough quality to squeeze out the win here. Sakkari is one of the fiercest competitors on the WTA Tour and will give it her all, but unless she crumbles under the pressure, which is unlikely, I am backing Emma Raducanu to cause yet another upset, advancing to the 2021 US Open Final.