Tuesday at the US Open sees the end of the first round. We’re here to predict as many matches as we can for you. In addition to this article (which contains four matches), we have three more sets of predictions. One features Naomi Osaka vs Anna Blinkova; the second headlines Danielle Collins vs Polona Hercog; and the third highlights Aryna Sabalenka vs Victoria Azarenka. Predicting today are Tracey Essex, Eric Han, and David Gertler.
US Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Caroline Wozniacki vs Yafan Wang
Tracey:
Caroline Wozniacki has had a lot of success in the Big Apple, reaching the semifinals or better on five occasions. In her current form, it seems unlikely she’ll continue that level of success. The Dane was exited in the second round in Toronto by rising Polish sensation Iga Swiatek. One week later, Wozniacki lost in straight sets to Dayana Yastremska. While Wozniacki is having a tough year, Wang is enjoying a career best. Wang’s deep, penetrating groundstrokes will trouble Wozniacki. But, to succeed, Wang will need to be patient and execute when the opportunity presents itself. The Chinese can withstand the long rallies characteristic of a Wozniacki match and Wang can end the points on her terms. I think we’ll see a Day 2 upset at the US Open.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Eric:
Wozniacki loves New York, and has played well here all her career. I really can’t see her falling in the first round here, even though she hasn’t had the most spectacular year.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
David:
Caroline Wozniacki battles Yafan Wang in the opening stage of the US Open. Wozniacki has not been at her best during this summer hard court season, going 1-2 and struggling to find the aggression and court positioning needed to succeed. Wang has also struggled during the summer hard court season, going 2-5 since Wimbledon. Wang does not have the weapons to hit through Woznaicki, so Wozniacki’s consistency should be good enough to get her through this match. Wozniacki wins easily.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
Alison Riske vs Garbine Muguruza
Tracey:
Alison Riske has lost her opening round at Flushing Meadows five consecutive outings. And, this year’s ask to defeat Spain’s Garbine Muguruza. The Spaniard is on a months long losing streak, not winning a match since Roland Garros in the Round of 16. It doesn’t help that Muguruza hasn’t been successful here. Riske may have cooled down a bit since her grass court season. Yet, even when she’s lost, Riske pushed her opponents to third set deciders. I’ll go with the upset and pick Riske in three.
Prediction: Riske in 3
Eric:
The Spaniard is on a three match losing streak and does not have much confidence in her own game right now. Can Riske use that to her own advantage and cause an upset here? Possibly.
Prediction: Riske in 3
David:
Alison Riske and Garbine Muguruza duel in the first round of the US Open. After a very successful grass court season, Riske had a solid summer hard court season, going 3-2. Muguruza has only played once since Wimbledon, losing in her first match in Cincinnati to eventual champion Madison Keys. Form would certainly indicate that Riske is in better shape than Muguruza, but the Spaniard was *5-3 in that second set tiebreak against Keys to win the match. That loss looks better than it initially appears and I expect Muguruza to play with the controlled aggression needed to win this match. Muguruza wins a tight one.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
Kristie Ahn vs Svetlana Kuznetsova
Tracey:
Svetlana Kuznetsova seems in top form following an injury hiatus. The resurgent Russian reached the final in Cincinnati, coming in second best to Madison Keys’ exceptional level here. While I don’t think Kuznetsova can reach the final in New York, she should be able to stick around until the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 2
Eric:
Kuznetsova had a surprising run to the final at Cincinnati last week, and should advance if she plays like she did there just a few weeks ago.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 2
David:
Kristie Ahn clashes with Svetlana Kuznetsova in the first round of the US Open. Ahn won the US Open Wild Card Challenge and thus received a wild card into the main draw. Kuznetsova played fantastic tennis in her recent tournament in Cincinnati, reaching the final before falling to Madison Keys. These two played once, with Kuznetsova winning easily in Washington last year. Kuznetsova can absorb Ahn’s power easily and is much more consistent than Ahn. Kuznetsova wins without any issues.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 2
Coco Gauff vs Anastasia Potapova
Tracey:
Comprised of teenage talent, this is definitely a “must watch” opening round match. American sensation Coco Gauff turned in a mature and commanding appearance at Wimbledon. Yet, the 15-year-old exited the Washington Open in the first round. Granted, she went on to claim the doubles championship alongside compatriot Caty McNally. But it seems Gauff may have succumb to America’s expectations and nerves seeped into the Gauff game in jam-packed stadiums. Anastasia Potapova has played nine matches (including qualifiers) in August – plenty of time to find a rhythm. The 18-year-old’s Bronx Open run was cut short when she ended up retiring due to illness. If Potapova is healthy, this will be a battle. But, it’s hard to pick against Gauff where the New York crowd will carry her to a win.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Eric:
Potapova had a good run in New York a few days ago and has been playing well. Gauff, on the other hand, has not played since Washington. It will be interesting how she will deal with the media attention around her at her home Slam.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
David:
Anastasia Potapova takes on Coco Gauff in the first round of US Open action. Potapova comes in having consistently won matches at the WTA level, including last week when she qualified and won a main draw match at the New York Open. Potapova did pull out of her second round match in the Bronx, so an injury could be a concern here.
Gauff made headlines when she qualified and made the Round of 16 at Wimbledon, including a win over Venus Williams. She followed this up with qualifying for Washington before losing the first round. Gauff seemed to run out of ideas in her first round match against Zarina Diyas, unable to figure out how to hit through Diyas. I suspect a similar problem here when faced with Potapova’s counterpunching skills, especially under the pressure of playing at her home major after that Wimbledon run. Potapova wins.
Prediction: Potapova in 3
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
