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
Alycia Parks vs Olga Danilovic
Tracey:
Here’s a match between two players you just don’t hear much about. Both ranked outside the Top 100; it’s a great opportunity for a first round win at a Slam. Danilovic has more experience and played well through qualifying rounds.
Prediction: Danilovic in 2
Andy:
Parks is progressing in her career but there is still over 100 places in the rankings between the players here. Danilovic battled through qualification well and I think will have the level required according to that evidence to win this one.
Prediction: Danilovic in 3
Jim:
This is a big opportunity for Alycia Parks, who does not exactly have a large well of experience to draw from heading into this match. She only made her debut on the WTA Tour earlier this season and has never before played at a Major. Olga Danilovic, meanwhile, came through the qualifying and looked impressive doing it. She should have the edge here.
Prediction: Danilovic in 2
Andrea Petkovic vs Irina-Camelia Begu
Tracey:
Begu’s dream run in Cleveland has perhaps taken a toll, leaving the reserves a little low. Yet, Begu’s performance clearly demonstrates her abilities. Not enough for a title run, but certainly enough to get her through the first round–we’ll see the Romanian in Round 2.
Prediction: Begu in 2
Andy:
The Romanian comes in off the back of her first final since 2017, but will she be tired after that? Petkovic won their last encounter but Begu leads 4-3 overall. I think Begu will take the confidence gained in Cleveland into this match and win.
Prediction: Begu in 3
Jim:
Irina-Camelia Begu had an excellent week in Cleveland, reaching her first final of the season. But she has been afforded very little turnaround time as a result of her deep run in Ohio. That may just prove to be her undoing here against Andrea Petkovic.
Prediction: Petkovic in 3
Bernarda Pera vs Tamara Zidansek
Tracey:
Zidansek does her best work on clay courts. This surface hasn’t allowed her the wins she earns on the dirt. On the other side, Pera plays her best on hard courts. This should be a relatively routine win for the American.
Prediction: Pera in 2
Andy:
Zidansek is in much better form than Pera and I think has streaked clear of the American in quality this year.
Prediction: Zidansek in 2
Jim:
Bernarda Pera comes into the US Open after a disappointing run of form that has seen her win just one match so far during the North American hard-court swing. Fortunately for the American, Tamara Zidansek has also been struggling badly away from the clay. And she will not be able to call upon the New York crowd for support.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Madison Keys vs Sloane Stephens
Tracey:
Neither Keys nor Stephens is playing at their best. While Keys is ranked higher, Stephens leads the head to head. It seems that in this rivalry, Stephens seems to elevate her game. Both Americans can produce spellbinding winners from the most unlikely positions – and both can go off the rails just as quickly. This will be a very tight, must watch match. The edge goes to Stephens in the decider
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Andy:
What a barnstorming Round 1 encounter that I’m sure will set the crowd up really well for the fortnight ahead. Stephens tends to bring her best form to Slams and if this year is no different than she will emerge victorious as she did in the 2017 final.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Jim:
It is a sign of the decline of both of these players that this match is being contested in the first round just four years after they met in the final. Perhaps unsurprisingly, neither comes into this match in form, but Sloane Stephens has at least been winning some matches. That is more than can be said for Madison Keys, whose last victory came in the third round at Wimbledon.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
