The US Open finishes its first round wrap up on Tuesday. We at LWOT are predicting as many of the matches as we can. In fact, we’re predicting 28 of the day’s 32 scheduled matches. Each set of predictions looks at four matches. That means that we have six more sets in addition to this one. One features Iga Swiatek vs Veronika Kudermetova, another headlines Amanda Anisimova vs Viktoriya Tomova, the next features Venus Williams vs Karolina Muchova, one looks at Serena Williams vs Kristie Ahn, another headlines Victoria Azarenka vs Barbara Haas, and the last features Johanna Konta vs Heather Watson. Predicting this set of matches are Tracey Essex, Jim Smith, and Damian Kust.
US Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Sofia Kenin vs Yanina Wickmayer
Tracey:
In spite of a disappointing first round exit at “Cincinnati,” Kenin should be considered a serious contender for the second Slam of 2020. The current Australian Open champion has an uncanny ability to mine the deficiencies of a previous match and come back stronger. The #2 seed has excellent court coverage, shot variety and tremendous fight. She’s matured as a player, capable of winning any match. The Kenin weapons will be more than Wickmayer can counter.
Prediction: Kenin in 2
Jim:
It’s hard to know quite what to make of Kenin’s shock loss to Alize Cornet at the Western & Southern Open. But one suspects that being caught cold after over five months had something to do with it. With one match now under her belt, even if it was a fairly one-sided loss, expect an improvement from the second seed.
Prediction: Kenin in 2
Damian:
Sofia Kenin is not fully over her first Grand Slam hangover. While I don’t see the American as a contender for the whole tournament, what we’ve seen of her in WorldTeamTennis exhibitions suggests she should still defeat Yanina Wickmayer. But her troubles will start very, very soon.
Prediction: Kenin in 2
Ons Jabeur vs Katarzyna Kawa
Tracey:
Ons Jabeur is coming into the US Open in good form. The Tunisian reached the quarterfinals at Top Seed Open and Cincinnati Masters. It was at the 2019 US Open where everything began to click for Jabeur, resulting in a climb up the rankings. Jabeur should be off the court in short order and on to the second round.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Jim:
Ons Jabeur has had some season so far. The highlight remains her battling run to the Australian Open quarterfinals, but that is far from the only success the Tunisian has enjoyed. Kawa, meanwhile, has not played competitively since the Lyon Open in late February, where she lost in the first round. Far from the ideal circumstances to be facing one of the tour’s form players then.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Damian:
Kawa’s ranking is built around a couple of good ITFs in early 2019 and a runner-up finish in Jurmala. However, she hasn’t been even remotely close to that level since then. Jabeur is playing the best tennis of her life and will make full use of her creativity to leave the opponent stunned.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Bernarda Pera vs Zarina Diyas
Tracey:
There’s no easy win in sight and could really go either way. Pera and Diyas are separated by few ranking point and should offer an intriguing first round clash. Pera pushed Serena to a decider in her first round loss in Lexington. Clearly the American bring a powerful and calculated game. That should be enough to secure a spot in the second round.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Jim:
Pera has been playing some fine tennis since the season resumed. She did miss out on what would have been a famous win over Serena Williams in the first round in Lexington, but she recovered from that to reach the second round at the Western & Southern Open. Diyas, in a marked contrast, crashed out in the first round of qualifying.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Damian:
After such a break, match rhythm can make a heck of a difference. Bernarda Pera played a lot through the pandemic and looked very solid in the American warm-up events. Diyas has only played one match and disappointed in a straightforward loss to Ann Li.
Prediction: Pera in 2
Kim Clijsters vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Tracey:
Kim Clijsters is returning to her first Major since 2012. You won’t find the Belgian’s game rusty. The competitive and talented Clijsters led WTT New York Empire to the title in July. Clijsters withdrew from the Western & Southern Open with an abdominal injury. The extent of her recovery will be a key factor in her match against Alexandrova. The hard hitting Russian will test Clijsters recovery. While the unranked Clijsters is a master at absorbing pace and power, it’s uncertain Clijsters can sustant Alexandrova’s onslaught.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Jim:
This is one of the most intriguing matches of the first round in New York. 21st seed Alexandrova will understandably be the favourite, but Clijsters showed that she is not to be underestimated with solid performances in Dubai and Monterrey on her comeback from retirement. She also played well during the World TeamTennis tournament whilst the season was suspended. So will she be able to beat Alexandrova? Probably not, but don’t be surprised if she nicks a set.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Damian:
We know Kim Clijsters is Grand Slam material. But is she still capable of it after all these years? Perhaps I’d be more tempted to pick her if it wasn’t for two things – an in-form opponent and her withdrawal from the Western & Southern Open. That’s a no, Kim, but I expect her to put up a fight.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
