The first round of the US Open wraps up on Tuesday. We at LWOT are 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 Kim Clijsters vs Ekaterina Alexandrova. Predicting this set of matches are Tracey Essex, Jim Smith, and Jack Rossiter-Munley.
US Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Garbine Muguruza vs Nao Hibino
Tracey:
The quick courts in New York will play well to the Muruguza’s game. Her hard hitting, flat groundstrokes should stymie Hibino at every turn. Yet, Muruguza is one of the most error prone players. Hibino’s best chance to grab a set will be to keep the ball in play, hoping the Spaniard will build the unforced error count. The biggest question is: How will Garbine Muguruza’s ankle hold up? It’s certainly a question but this is the ideal match-up for Muguruza to explore its limits.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Jim:
After a great start to the season in Melbourne, Muguruza was surely frustrated to see the season brought to a halt. She now comes into the US Open without having played since the Qatar Open in February, which suggests that rustiness could be an issue for the Spaniard. However, even with that taken into account, this is still a winnable match for the tenth seed.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
Jack:
Muguruza is a player to watch at this year’s US Open. She’s never gone deep, but the fast hard courts should suit her power game and she knows what it takes both mentally and physically to win a slam. She should defeat Hibino easily. The question is, how far can she go?
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Sloane Stephens vs Mihaela Buzarnescu
Tracey:
The 2017 US Open Champion looks anything but ready to reclaim the title. Sloane Stephens continues to struggle, racking up unforced errors in lackluster, flat footed performances. Perhaps one of the best movers, the American has shown little of that skill, a key deficiency which has led to six first round exits. Perhaps her coach, Kamau Murray, can motivate her through this rough patch. A first round win would be a great place to start. It won’t be straightforward as Romanian Buzarnescu can put up resistance–just not enough.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Jim:
It has been a miserable year for Stephens, who has not been able to find any sort of form either side of the suspension of the season. This is a winnable match for her however, with Buzarnescu never having won a match in the main draw at the US Open and yet to play since the season resumed. If Stephens is going to break out of her slump, this is surely the match where she will do so.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Jack:
Stephens may be a former US Open champion and sit almost 100 places higher in the rankings, but she has played poorly all year. Buzarnescu is a solid player who could expose some of Stephens’ weaknesses. It’s always foolish to bet against Stephens since she’s capable of inexplicable runs of near-perfect form, but at the moment her best seems far off.
Prediction: Buzarnescu in 3
Viktoria Kuzmova vs Caty McNally
Tracey:
Caty McNally has yet to find the success which she enjoys in doubles. Maybe it’s the camaraderie she shares with Coco Gauff that makes her doubles performances look so easy. McNally has the tools and the talent, and seems a boost of confidence would serve her well. Opening against Kuzmova should be a challenge, though not an insurmountable one. Expect this match to see momentum switch back and forth – with the American commanding in the third set.
Prediction: McNally in 3
Jim:
Things have not gone at all well for McNally since the season resumed. The young American has been on the receiving end of some bruising reverses, which have surely put a dent in her confidence. She may well be more competitive up against Kuzmova, but the Slovakian will feel that this is a match she should win and rightly so.
Prediction: Kuzmova in 3
Jack:
Kuzmova, the 2015 girls doubles champion at the US Open, has not delivered on the singles court the way she has on the doubles. However, she has won a number of ITF titles and should have more than enough in her game to subdue McNally.
Prediction: Kuzmova in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Veronika Kudermetova
Tracey:
Iga Swiatek has a tall task ahead of her. Opening her campaign against an in form Kudermetova will require every ounce of her mental prowess. If anyone can break down an opponent’s game, it’s Poland’s teen phenom. Expect to see a highlight reel shot performance from the WTA’s “Shot of the Year” awardee. Yet, there’s little doubt this one will go the distance.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Jim:
Swiatek looked more than a little rusty in her first-round defeat to Christina McHale at the Western and Southern Open. But the Pole may have regained a little sharpness with her run in the doubles. But will that be enough to see her past Kudermetova? The Russian’s results have not been spectacular, but she played some fine tennis in “Cincinnati,” not least in beating top seed Karolina Pliskova. Expect her to advance here.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Jack:
This is an enticing battle between two consistent, evenly matched players. Kundermetova was significantly more impressive at the Western & Southern Open. This match should be a tussle if not a classic, with strong play from both sides and a Kundermetova victory.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
