The US Open begins play 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 strangest of 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 Danielle Collins vs Anett Kontaveit, 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 Andrew Watson.
US Open Women’s Day 1 Predictions
Tatjana Maria vs Alison Riske
Tracey:
Tatjana Maria has earned a reputation as the giant killer. A style which can trouble the upper echelons of the sport, Maria boasts 29 wins over Top 10 opponents. It’s a danger point which should be on Allie Riske’s radar coming into this match. Riske has been playing career best tennis, and is capable of reaching the second week. This match will be Riske’s first test.
Prediction: Riske in 3
Ewan:
Riske lost her only match since the restart to Amanda Anisimova in Cincinnati, while Maria has not played since March. The American leads the head-to-head 2-0 and should enjoy the quick courts. Expect her to be too strong for the German.
Prediction: Riske in 2
Andrew:
The German hasn’t won a Grand Slam main draw match in her last six attempts and has a terrible record when underdog in a match-up. Add to this that Riske has a 5-0 lead over the German in their head-to-head record and this should be smooth sailing for the thirteenth seed. Riske should have too much pop on her serve for Maria, expect a straight sets win.
Prediction: Riske in 2
Marketa Vondrousova vs Greet Minnen
Tracey:
Marketa Vondrousova will be looking for a deep run, perhaps a redemption from her short-lived appearance at the Western & Southern Open last week. The #12 seed was handed a first round loss by Siegemund. The lefty Czech should get through this one quickly.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Ewan:
Neither player has won since before the break, and Vondrousova has been short of fitness and success since reaching the French Open final last year. While not a given, she should still navigate her way past the Belgian–who is yet to break into the top 100.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Andrew:
The Czech youngster still doesn’t quite seem to have rediscovered her best form following her injury in 2019. The French Open finalist is seeded twelve here but has a poor WTA record over the last twelve months. Minnen isn’t exactly flying at the highest level either and has never won a match on these courts. Vondrousova should have too much in her all-round game for the Belgian and is expected to reach the second round as she did in her last US Open in 2018.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Jessica Pegula vs Marie Bouzkova
Tracey:
This is a must watch match. Playing with similar styles, we’ll see long rallies hallmarked by accuracy and backhand winners. Both Pegula and Bouzkova had nice runs at the Western & Southern Open. Yet, Pegula’s last eight appearance in doubles required a lot of time on court. Will fatigue play a role? You can count on Bouzkova to exploit any deficiency she detects in the Pegula game.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Ewan:
Pegula earned fine wins against Brady, Anisimova, and Aryna Sabalenka en route to the Cincinnati quarterfinals. Bouzkova made the third round of that event after an excellent victory of her own – against Kvitova. It is tough to pick between two in-form players, but perhaps home-favourite Pegula has the slight edge due to the belief gained from her three consecutive big wins.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Andrew:
This could be one of the under-the-radar matches of the first round. Both players showed good form in the Western & Southern Open. Bouzkova has reached consecutive quarterfinals, beating the likes of Johanna Konta & Petra Kvitová en route. Pegula won five consecutive matches last week including wins over Aryna Sabalenka, Amanda Anisimova & Jennifer Brady. Their previous meeting was on hard court in 2018 where Bouzkova emerged a narrow straight sets winner. Pegula may have more to say on this occasion being full of confidence on these courts after her run last week. This match may go all the way but the powerful Bouzkova is taken to just about have the quality edge to win it.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Naomi Osaka vs Misaki Doi
Tracey:
The only possibility of a Doi win comes in the form of an Osaka withdrawal. The hamstring injury which kept Osaka from the Western & Southern final is a question mark in my mind. If the #4 seed is in good health and unhampered by her recent injury, she’ll quickly move through the first round.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Ewan:
Osaka withdrew before the Cincinnati final against Viktoria Azarenka with a hamstring issue, after showing good form. As long as that was precautionary and the injury was nothing serious, she should be too good for her countrywoman Doi–who she beat in their only previous encounter at Tokyo 2016.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Andrew:
Osaka became a bit of an injury doubt after withdrawing from the final of the Western & Southern Open on Saturday. However, if she does play the match she probably won’t even need to be at 100% to beat Doi. They have met once before, in 2016, and Osaka managed a 6-4 6-4 triumph there. This may be even easier on this occasion as Doi has only ever won once at the US Open in ten attempts.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
