A spot in the next round is at stake on Thursday, when Maria Sakkari goes up against Yuliia Starodubtseva in the US Open round of 64. Maria Sakkari comes in at 4 wins from the last ten. Yuliia Starodubtseva is 3-7 across recent matches.

Hold strength tells the story — 65% versus 57.8% on first-serve points in Sakkari's favor. The edge belongs to Sakkari — real, but not the kind you take for granted at this level.