There should be no shortage of entertaining tennis on day two at the US Open. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Ashleigh Barty vs Vera Zvonareva, Karolina Pliskova vs Catherine McNally, Emma Raducanu vs Jennifer Brady, Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Sakkari, Jamie Loeb vs Iga Swiatek, Petra Kvitova vs Polona Hercog and Anett Kontaveit vs Samantha Stosur. But who will reach the round of 64?
US Open Day 2 Predictions
Viktorija Golubic vs Bianca Andreescu
Jim: This is a very tough first-round draw for Bianca Andreescu as she tries to recover her form and fitness. At her best, it is a match she would almost certainly win, but she is a long way short of that at the moment. Viktorija Golubic has not quite looked at her best either, however, with her game not particularly well-suited to hard-court tennis. If Andreescu has enough in her legs to go the distance, she should be able to disrupt Golubic’s rhythm effectively enough to reach the second round.
Prediction: Andreescu in 3
Jack: Andreescu has been pretty unlucky to draw Golubic in the first round. She hasn’t had much time to find her form on the American hard courts and if she is short of confidence, she could be out in a flash against the Swiss. It may come together for a short while, but in the end it could potentially be curtains for the 2019 champ.
Prediction: Golubic in 3
Yesh: Two years ago, this would have been a no-brainer. Andreescu was unbeatable throughout much of 2019 and looked ready to dominate the women’s game for years to come. However, injuries disrupted those plans, and she is still searching for the level of tennis that saw her lift the US Open title in 2019. Golubic seems to have found some of the best tennis of her career in 2021 and made a maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance at Wimbledon earlier this year. Andreescu should find a way past her here, but it won’t be an easy task.
Prediction: Andreescu in 3
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Fiona Ferro vs Nao Hibino
Jim: Both Fiona Ferro and Nao Hibino are players in need of a win. Much was expected of Ferro in 2021 after an impressive season last year, but she has struggled to deliver on that. Hibino, meanwhile, has appeared too conservative at times and been overpowered as a result. That probably won’t be a danger against Ferro, but the Frenchwoman does look like the player with the higher ceiling. She should have just about enough to reach the second round.
Prediction: Ferro in 3
Jack: With just one hard-court win to her name this year, Nao Hibino has not been in spectacular form. On the other hand, Ferro’s counter-punching game has earned her some respectable wins this year so I can’t see the upset realistically coming to fruition.
Prediction: Ferro in 2
Fraser: Ferro’s continues searching for form after a promising start to 2021 failed to materialise into anything of not. Her forehand remains a formidable weapon when firing and her court coverage is amongst the best in the game. Hibino will be a tough match up for her though, with the Japanese #3 excelling on hard courts. That being said, Hibino has only won two of her last 12 matches and I think that lack of form will cost her here.
Prediction: Ferro in 2
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Hsieh Su-wei vs Claire Liu
Jim: Has Hsieh Su-wei been figured out? Probably not, but there is no doubt that the Taiwanese has not proved as effective at disrupting her opponents as in previous years. With Claire Liu in solid form and fresh from a run to the semifinals at the Chicago WTA 125, this may be another difficult day on court for Hsieh.
Prediction: Liu in 3
Jack: After a decent run in Chicago, Liu is looking like more and more like she belongs on tour. Nonetheless, maybe it’s the fan in me speaking, I find myself siding with the immortal magic of Hsieh. I don’t think it will be easy but she’ll pull a rabbit out of the hat.
Prediction: Hsieh in 3
Fraser: You never quite know how opponents will respond to Hsieh’s awkward game which makes her matches very tough to call. A very attackable serve might see her struggle, however, Liu hasn’t played Hsieh before and that could well prove telling. If the American can’t adjust to Hsieh’s awkward game quickly then she may well have lost the match before she knows it. Given how even the best have struggled with Hsieh on occasion, I’m going to give her the edge here.
Prediction: Hsieh in 2
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Lauren Davis vs Viktoriya Tomova
Jim: It doesn’t look like there is a huge amount in this on paper. Viktoriya Tomova will be able to swing freely after being handed a second chance as a lucky loser, whilst Lauren Davis has been struggling for wins of late. Expect the Bulgarian to have the edge.
Prediction: Tomova in 3
Jack: Neither Davis nor Tomova are known for their hard-court prowess, however, Davis is more comfortable on the biggest stages than her opponent. With her opponent boasting a bit more firepower on either wing, the lucky loser might struggle to keep up with the American.
Prediction: Davis in 2
Fraser: This is a toss of the coin. Only 20 or so ranking points separate these two and neither has any real form to speak of coming into this match. Tomova has the advantage of having played three matches on these courts as a lucky loser. Davis is probably the better player of the two though. If Davis can play some of her tennis of old that saw her climb into the upper echelon of the women’s game, then she should move on here.
Prediction: Davis in 3
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