The US Open kicks off in New York on Monday. Our panelists here at LWOT are ready to predict as many matches as we can for you. Who will move on on Day 1? In this strange Grand Slam tournaments due to COVID-19, anything can happen. Each set of predictions looks at four matches. In addition to this set, we have five others for you to look at. One features Karolina Pliskova vs Anhelina Kalinina, another looks at Naomi Osaka vs Misaki Doi, the next headlines Angelique Kerber vs Ajla-Tomljanovic, another headlines Petra Kvitova vs Irina Camelia-Begu, and the last features Coco Gauff vs Anastasija Sevastova. Predicting this set of matches are Tracey Essex, Ewan West, and Jim Smith.
US Open Women’s Day 1 Predictions
Robin Montgomery vs Yulia Putintseva
Tracey:
Here’s another American teenager, relatively unknown and able to play with nothing to lose. It will take Putintseva some time to figure out the big game of Montgomery and she’ll need more than an aggressive baseline game in this match up. This match could really go either way but I give the edge to Putintseva whose experience will see her through the big moments.
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Ewan:
Putintseva has a record of 2-2 since the restart and will surely have too much experience and guile for the 16-year-old wild card and WTA-level debutant.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
Jim:
It will be interesting to see what Montgomery can bring to the court against Putintseva, who will almost certainly be largely unfamiliar with the 15-year-old’s game. But it would surely take the performance of her life, and then some, for her to pull off the upset here.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
Camila Giorgi vs Alison Van Uytvanck
Tracey:
It’s always fascinating watching Camila Giorgi play. When she’s hitting her marks, she’s nearly unstoppable. Yet, it’s exactly that style which can see the Italian litter the scoresheet with unforced errors. It’s been one-way traffic in the Giorgi vs Van Uytvanck head to head. The Italian should extend the lead to 4-0.
Prediction: Giorgi in 2
Ewan:
The Italian has a record of 4-2 since the restart, while the Belgian last won a match in March. Giorgi leads the head-to-head 3-0 without dropping a set, and should continue that run.
Prediction: Giorgi in 2
Jim:
There should be plenty of winners in this match, with neither Giorgi nor Van Uytvanck generally inclined to hold back. But the Belgian has been misfiring since the season resumed, losing both of the matches she has played in straight-sets. Giorgi, meanwhile, arrives at the US Open in reasonably good form. Expect her to add to Van Uytvanck’s woes.
Prediction: Giorgi in 2
Astra Sharma vs Dayana Yastremska
Tracey:
Despite falling to Naomi Osaka at the Western & Southern Open, Yastremska has been playing well. The only question mark is the ankle injury. If Yastremska is injury free, expect a deep run. The opener against Astra Sharma should go quickly.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Ewan:
Expect Yastremska, who has a 4-2 record since tour tennis returned, to be too strong for the Aussie–who has won just one Grand Slam match.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Jim:
Sharma scored a fine win in the first round of qualifying at the Western and Southern Open, but wasn’t able to capitalise, losing to Vera Zvonareva in straight sets in the final round. Yastremska, despite remaining rather hit and miss, should have too much for the Australian.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Danielle Collins vs Anett Kontaveit
Tracey:
Collins has had a dismal 2020 season. It’s a huge disappointment for the American who made quite a splash in 2019. Collins’ all out power game is exactly the style which benefits Kontaveit. If Collins could change up her game, she might have a chance against the in-form Kontaveit. But, that’s just not Collins style and the Estonian will use it against her.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 2
Ewan:
Kontaveit has had ideal preparation: reaching the Palermo final and Cincinnati quarter-finals, where she narrowly fell to Naomi Osaka. Collins is a dangerous first round opponent, but has not won on tour since the Australian Open first round. It is difficult to look past the in-form Estonian, but the American will battle hard.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 3
Jim:
The quick courts at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre looked likely to suit Collins game, but she did not impress in losing 3-6 3-6 against Jil Teichmann at the Western and Southern Open. Kontaveit, in contrast, will surely feel that she should have gone further than the quarterfinals. Unless that defeat is still on her mind, expect her to bounce back against Collins.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
