Diana Shnaider vs Jessica Pegula Prediction: End of the road for Diana Shnaider

This is an appetising matchup, and in fact, one of the exciting matches between Diana Shnaider and Jessica Pegula at the US Open Round of 16, as both have raised bars in this ongoing competition. Neither has lost a set so far in the tournament. Pegula, World No. 6, surely has to come in and view herself as the favourite, but 18th-ranked Shnaider has shown she is capable of holding her own against upper-level players. This will, in fact, be the real test of their form, tactics, and psychology at this moment, because both teams have the desire to go through to the quarterfinals.

With victories in eight of the last ten, Diana Shnaider has been almost unstoppable of late, a factor that continued here at the US Open with three in straight sets. The aggression from the baseline and pungency on her groundstrokes have meant there has been little struggle getting rid of those that have come her way. Keeping the pressure up with a healthy percentage of first serves in, the Russian usually dominates opponents with her forehand. WhileShnaider is technically the underdog in this matchup, her performances so far suggest she is peaking at the right time.

In that case, Shnaider will need to bring her A-game to really test Pegula and, more importantly, her serve and aggressive baseline play. She will try to push Pegula out of her comfort zone with deep, penetrative shots that will always push Pegula onto the defence. The variation in pace and the drop shots or angles thrown in every now and then by Shnaider might disrupt Pegula's rhythm. More than anything, she needs to cut down on unforced errors, particularly on important points, which give easy opportunities to Pegula.

Jessica Pegula was one of the most consistent performers of the entire season, which her current ranking of 6th in the WTA ranking supports. Her recent form is pretty indicative because she has won 9 out of her last 10 matches and still stays undefeated this US Open. The game of Pegula is built around solid fundamentals: excellent court coverage, reliable serve, and the ability to dictate a rally with her forehand and backhand alike. Pegula will also have the psychological advantage going into this match, defeating Shnaider in straight sets just last month at the WTA Toronto.

Pegula is likely to play her usual game of steady, high-percentage tennis. She will be looking to impose herself from the baseline, making use of the superior court coverage to drag more rallies and tire Shnaider out. Most significantly, a possible shot that could make a big difference in this contest is the backhand down the line from Pegula, particularly when Shnaider gets forced wide on her forehand. Furthermore, Pegula has to try and make use of Shnaider's second serve, which has proved vulnerable when under pressure. Pegula will try to take control of the match and keep it to her rhythm by staying focused and carrying out her game plan effectively.

With the form and result of her last meeting, Jessica Pegula will start this match as a favourite. So far into this tournament, showing the consistency and strength of mind that has brought her deep into the upper echelons of women's tennis, she has been almost faultless. No doubt, Shnaider is a star on the rise, but upsets are never ruled out. Still, everything goes against the grain in this case.

With Pegula's experience, her tactical discipline, and the psychological edge from the encounter in Toronto, it is a given that she is the likelier winner. Shnaider might give her some hardness for moments, but Pegula should see her way through the quarters in straight sets.

• Jessica Pegula Win and Under 2.5 Sets @ 2.05 Odds
• Under 21.5 Games Total @ 1.81 Odds
• Jessica Pegula Win 2-0 @ 2.10 Odds