The US Open finishes off its first round on Tuesday. We at LWOT are here to predict as many of the matches as we can for you. 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 Johanna Konta vs Heather Watson, 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 myself (Yesh Ginsburg).
US Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Lauren Davis vs Alize Cornet
Tracey:
Lauren Davis always makes predicting an outcome challenging. An insanely hit or miss player, who can make the most difficult matches look easy and the easiest matches look difficult. Cornet is a veteran player who’s been working on improving. Increasing the power behind her service and sharpening an already keen backhand has been impressive. If the Frenchwoman can use depth and power to the weak Davis forehand, we’re in for a short lived match. If the Davis backhand sees a lot of play, Cornet will need to battle through this one. This is where Cornet’s experience will prove itself.
Prediction: Cornet in 2
Jim:
Cornet comes into the US Open in fine form, having stunned Sofia Kenin in the second round at the Western & Southern Open. Davis did not have such a profitable week, losing her in the first round of qualifying to Ludmilla Samsonova. She won just five games in that match and it’s hard to see her upending the Frenchwoman.
Prediction: Cornet in 2
Yesh:
Cornet is in some of her best form right now, and Davis is not. Cornet would be the favorite here under most circumstances, and right now this should be an easy win.
Prediction: Cornet in 2
Maria Sakkari vs Stefanie Voegele
Tracey:
Fitness and strength are Sakkari’s true weapons. Her speed and movement allow her to keep so many balls in play, wearing down and fatiguing her opponents. It’s the Grecian’s momentary lapses filled with errant balls which open the door. While Vogele leads the head to head, there’s no recent match play, so I give this stat little bearing on the outcome. It should be one way traffic from the #15 seed.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Jim:
Sakkari was fairly comprehensively beaten by Johanna Konta in the quarterfinals in “Cincinnati,” but that defeat came after a memorable triumph over Serena Williams. The Greek may not be a title threat in New York, but she is a reliable performer and should be targeting the second week. Don’t expect Voegele to stand in the way of that ambition for long.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Yesh:
Sakkari is in very good form right now, and is one of the best players in the world. I don’t expect Voegele to give her any trouble.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Margarita Gasparyan vs Monica Puig
Tracey:
Monica Puig is one of the grittiest players around. She can continue to fight in spite of all odds. Her lack of match play will be a detriment. Gasparyan comes into this match with two first round losses, in post pandemic play. Who’ll shake off the rust quickest? Puig leads the head to head 2-1, with Garparyan’s win coming after Puig retired. If Puig can quickly find her form, I expect she’ll see the second round.
Prediction: Puig in 2
Jim:
It is hard to reconcile the Puig who stormed to a gold medal at the Rio Olympics with the seemingly listless player of the past few seasons. The Puerto Rican is just 26, however, so it is certainly too soon to write her off. She has also enjoyed the better of her rivalry with Gasparyan, beating her in similar conditions in New Haven two years ago. Expect her to come out on top again.
Prediction: Puig in 3
Yesh:
Puig is potentially one of the best in the world but is wildly inconsistent, which is very unfortunate for her. Still, she’s a better player than Gasparyan, even in her current form. The Puerto Rican should move on.
Prediction: Puig in 2
Karolina Muchova vs Venus Williams
Tracey:
Venus’ new service motion isn’t producing the desired result. The elder Williams sister is coming off a three-set, first round loss in “Cincinnati” where she served at 57%. Her serve was broken on five occasions. These are the stats which bode well for a deep run. Combine that with a Top 30 opponent whose fitness level far exceeds the 40-year-old Venus. Certainly, the former World #1 has the fight to push this to the decider, but I see Muchova chalking up the win.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Jim:
This is a tough match to call. Williams is never short of fight and gave Dayana Yastremska a stern examination in the first round at the Western & Southern Open. But there is no escaping the fact that she is no longer the player she once was. Muchova, meanwhile, has not quite kicked on as one might have expected after reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals last year. But she is a solid top 30 player, with deft touch in and around the net. She should have just about enough to edge this one.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Yesh:
I hate picking against Venus. I really do. She’s a legend of the game and deserves to be pulled for in every match. Looking at her recent play and Muchova’s skyrocketing talent over the past two years, it’s very hard to pick Venus in this one.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
