The US Open kicks off with Day 1 on Monday. 64 women compete on opening day, which means we have 32 matches. As always, we at LWOT are here to share our thoughts on the matches. In addition to this article, we split the other matches between seven other articles. Those articles feature Naomi Osaka vs Marie Bouzkova, Elena Rybakina vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich, Angelique Kerber vs Dayana Yastremska, Victoria Azarenka vs Tereza Martincova, Simona Halep vs Camila Giorgi, Donna Vekic vs Garbine Muguruza, and Madison Keys vs Sloane Stephens. Predicting this set of matches are Tracey Essex, Andy Watson, and Jim Smith.
US Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Valentini Grammatikopoulou vs Anna Blinkova
Tracey:
Blinkova will be looking to end points quickly, using her powerful and accurate backhand wing. Grammatikopoulou is a rising talent but she won’t find a way through this one.
Prediction: Blinkova in 2
Andy:
Neither of these players seemed to prepare for the hard court season. All of the Greek matches leading into qualifying were on clay and then she won three times as the underdog in qualifying. This should be a concern to Blinkova, who retired after one game in her last match. I fancy an upset here and will back Grammatikopoulou to deliver it.
Prediction: Grammatikopoulou in 3
Jim:
Anna Blinkova looks to be rather undercooked coming into this match. The Russian has struggled with fitness over the summer and managed just one game before retiring last time out in Cleveland. Valentini Grammatikopoulou, in a marked contrast, should be match sharp after an impressive run through the qualifying. That may well prove to be the difference between the pair.
Prediction: Grammatikopoulou in 3
Caroline Garcia vs Harriet Dart
Tracey:
Considering Garcia’s lack of form, this is a great opportunity for Dart. The Brit has never made it past the first round and will be eager to improve that result. If Garcia still lacks form, Dart will run away with this one. I don’t think it will be that easy though. Garcia may not win, but she’ll show a lot of fight.
Prediction: Dart in 3
Andy:
The Frenchwoman’s form has fallen dramatically since the peak of her powers but I think she still has the power and skill to get past Dart who has done excellently to qualify but has only ever won one round outside of Wimbledon in grand slam main draws.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Jim:
Harriet Dart looks to have a solid future ahead of her, particularly if she can perform as well as she did in the US Open qualifying consistently. But this looks like it may be a challenge too far for the Briton. Caroline Garcia is hardly a model of consistency, but the Frenchwoman tends to save her best for the big occasion and she is a hard player to stop when she is on song.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Tsvetana Pironkova vs Daria Kasatkina
Tracey:
Kasatkina is finding the form which propelled her up the rankings a few years ago. It was an impressive run for the Russian, reaching the San Jose finals. Yet she followed that up with early exits in Montreal and Cincinnati. With such an attackable second serve, Kasatikina will need to be making a lot of first serves and hitting her marks. Not an easy way to start her US Open campaign, but Kasatkina should make it through in a tough, three set battle.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 3
Andy:
The Russian just checked out of the Cleveland tournament at the quarterfinal stage, which suggests she felt ready for the US Open. But Pironkova had fantastic run here last season and will want to try and repeat that. I slightly favour Pironkova just mentally more than anything. I think she win find a way to beat Kasatkina.
Prediction: Pironkova in 3
Jim:
Tsvetana Pironkova has put together some big runs seemingly out of nowhere in the past, but it is hard to see the Bulgarian repeating that at this year’s US Open. She has been out of action since Wimbledon and comes up against a player in solid form in Daria Kasatkina. The Russian should in for a relatively comfortable day at the office.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Camila Giorgi vs Simona Halep
Tracey:
No doubt, Camila Giorgi can surprise. Just when you think the competition is too stiff, the Italian pulls out an upset. The power behind the Italian’s groundstrokes may stymie some, but it won’t affect Halep. The Romanian’s ability to absorb pace and redirect should prove frustrating for Giorgi. If Halep is playing at full strength, this will be a tight two-setter.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Andy:
I’m certain the Romanian wouldn’t have wanted to see Giorgi’s name come out in the draw. The surprise Cincinnati champion finally proved that what everyone says about her is true. She really does have the game to beat anyone. Halep is still feeling her way back to full match fitness and this will be a tough test. I think Giorgi will progress due to that lack of Halep fitness.
Prediction: Giorgi in 3
Jim:
This is a less than ideal draw for Simona Halep. The Romanian is still trying to work her way back to full fitness and build up her form after a summer disrupted by injury. Camila Giorgi, in contrast, will surely be in a confident mood after her run to the title in Montreal. Halep may just be facing another early exit in New York.
Prediction: Giorgi in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
