It’s Slam time, so our panelists are here daily to give you predictions about the biggest women’s matches. The first day of the Open should be an exciting one, so sit back and enjoy the tennis. Today’s panelists are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), LastWordOnTennis editor Sam Barker, and contributor Finn Ranson
Panelists Predictions US Open Women’s Day 1 Matches
Francesca Schiavone vs Svetlana Kuznetsova
Sam:
Flushing Meadows has been a happy hunting ground for veteran Italians in recent years, as last year’s champion Flavia Pennetta will confirm. Given that this may be Schiavone’s final US Open she will be looking to depart on a high. Svetlana Kuznetsova has had a superb year though, and will ultimately prove too strong.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 2
Finn:
These two are wily veterans of the WTA tour. Yet Kuznetsova brings power as well as savviness in this encounter. The Russian’s heavy groundstrokes should kick off Flushing Meadows’ acrylic surface in a way that Schiavone’s simply cannot in her advanced years. Schiavone’s defensive games means this match lies firmly in Kuzentsova’s hands and will be dictated by her consistency. In her current vein of form though, there should be few slip-ups.
Prediction: Kuzentsova in 2
Yesh:
Kuznetsova has had a great season this year. She has won this tournament before and has, at times this year, reminded us exactly why. I can’t see the aging Schiavone troubling her here.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 2
Taylor Townsend vs Caroline Wozniacki
Sam:
This is perhaps the most unpredictable first round match. Caroline Wozniacki–the former World #1–is in a state of steady decline whilst promising youngster Taylor Townsend has struggled to cement herself as a true force on the WTA tour. The American has shown signs of growth during this year and could, with the home crowd behind her, cause a huge upset.
Prediction: Townsend in 3
Finn:
Caroline Wozniaki has had a deeply disappointing campaign, owning a 13-14 win-loss record this year. Against a young American, Taylor Townsend, and in a potentially cauldron-like atmosphere, Wozniaki’s low ebb may become even more burdensome. Townsend may bring little proven quality at Grand Slam level, but she brings the boundless, effervescent energy of a young tour player; those are qualities which seem to have deserted Wozniaki. A tight first set will be followed by the American cruising to victory.
Prediction: Townsend in 2
Yesh:
I have no idea how to predict this match. I still strongly believe that Wozniacki is one of the more talented women int he game today. She has just fallen apart in recent years. Townsend might be a star someday–she definitely has the potential–but she isn’t there yet. This could be anyone’s match.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 3
Johanna Konta vs Bethanie Mattek-Sands
Sam:
A clash of styles as Johanna Konta’s robotic repetitiveness clashes with Bethanie Mattek-Sands quirky crowd-pleasing nature. There is no doubting that Mattek-Sands is a threat but her interests are more aligned with doubles nowadays and Konta is looking more and more like a model of consistency.
Prediction: Konta in 2
Finn:
Johanna Konta’s crusade to the summit of women’s tennis has been looked on with feverish excitement in Britain. Her triumph in Stanford remains a vital milestone for her going into Flushing Meadows, but past success and experiences are difficult to draw upon against the often unorthodox Mattek-Sands. This difficulty aside though, Konta should have no problems handling the American, possessing the fantastic movement needed to counter-punch any of her opponent’s inevitable forays to the net.
Prediction: Konta in 2
Yesh:
Mattek-Sands is flying high after winning mixed doubles gold in Rio. Konta might be the more consistent singles player, but with the way Mattek-Sands looks to be coming in right now I would honestly be surprised if she can’t pull off an big upset or two–especially with the American crowd behind him.
Prediction: Mattek-Sands in 3
Yulia Putinseva vs Sabine Lisicki
Sam:
Yulia Putintseva holds the bragging rights after a three-set victory earlier this year in Charleston. Lisicki will feel she can claim revenge, though, as the Kazakh comes into the US Open off the back of four straight defeats. Lisicki’s game has not progressed over the last few years and her younger opponent may just sneak through in a tight affair.
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Finn:
Many of the WTA’s finest fell victim to Puntintseva’s stunning clay-court form this year, including Sabine Lisicki. The World #43 defeated Lisicki in three closely-fought sets in Charleston. However, that form is yet to transfer onto a hard court; against an opponent of such superior power, Putintseva could struggle. Her contest with Serena Williams at Roland Garros, although bearing an impressive scoreline, exposed the limitations to the Kazakh’s game in terms of her power and her diminutive figure. Lisicki has exceeded Serena’s serve speed in the past, and in Round One–when the pressure will be somewhat off the German–Lisicki could have the edge over her opponent.
Prediction: Lisicki in 3
Yesh:
Lisicki just has too much raw firepower, especially on these faster hard courts. Putinseva might be able to stick with her on some days, but the young Kazakh is not in good form right now.
Prediction: Lisicki in 2
Madison Keys vs Alison Riske
Sam:
This one may be closer than the 4-1 head-to-head in the favour of Madison Keys might suggest. The last two meetings between the two Americans have both gone the way of Keys but in tight three-set matches. Her occasionally erratic nature suggests that this is by no means a foregone conclusion.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Finn:
In an unequivocally much-improved campaign, Madison Keys has still suffered three frustrating Fourth Round Grand Slam exits in 2016. Where better to quiet her skeptics though than in a home Slam? This incentive will combine Keys’ quality (as shown in her Montreal final and Olympics semi-final appearances) with a keen competitive edge in this clash against Alison Riske. Their meeting this year in Madrid ended in a tight three set win for Keys, but on a faster hard court a more comfortable win seems likely.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Yesh:
Keys has been good this year and is more talented than Riske, though the last two meetings between these two have been close. Still, Keys should be able to get through this without too much trouble.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Main Photo:
