Expect plenty of exciting 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, Viktorija Golubic vs Bianca Andreescu, Emma Raducanu vs Jennifer Brady, Karolina Pliskova vs Catherine McNally, Maria Sakkari vs Marta Kostyuk, Jamie Loeb vs Iga Swiatek and Anett Kontaveit vs Samantha Stosur. But who will book their spot in the second round?
US Open Day 2 Predictions
Petra Kvitova vs Polona Hercog
Jim: Petra Kvitova had looked impressive in reaching the quarterfinals in Cincinnati before injury forced her to retire midway through the second set. But provided she has recovered sufficiently, this should be a winnable match for her. Polona Hercog can do damage with her forehand, but it is hard to see her going toe-to-toe with Kvitova and coming out on top.
Prediction: Kvitova in 3
Yesh: This is an unfortunate draw for Kvitova. The Czech is still one of the best players in the world, but she’s prone to patches of bad form, and Hercog can stick with her from the baseline. Kvitova should win, but it might be a battle.
Prediction: Kvitova in 3
Fraser: On paper this match could be quite close. Kvitova has been poor in the biggest tournaments this year for the most part and Hercog can be a tricky opponent to play. She has a big serve and a menacing forehand, both of which will work well on these courts. However, Kvitova has played very well at the US Open in the past and is due a run given her lack of form in Grand Slams this year. I think she may well have that run here, starting with a win against Hercog.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
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Anastasia Potapova vs Jessica Pegula
Jim: Jessica Pegula’s fine year has continued over the summer in North America, with the highlight being her run to the semifinals in Montreal. She almost certainly does not have the skillset to win the title, but a run to the second week is very much within her capabilities and, with Anastasia Potapova in indifferent form, this should be a comfortable start for the American.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Yesh: Pegula is not as impressive as she was in the beginning of the year. The American looks like a potential sleeper here, though, and should make her way through a tricky first match.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Fraser: Potapova is one of the young talents in the women’s game that is really exciting and could well develop into something special. Injuries last year derailed her a little, but she has shown flashes of brilliance so far in 2021. Unfortunately for her, her opponent is one of the form players on the WTA over the last 12 months. Pegula has made a name for herself this year and will be expecting a good run here. She should get her campaign off to a positive start here with a win over the young Russian.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
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Karolina Muchova vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Jim: This is a nightmare first-round draw for both. There doesn’t look like there is much between them, but it is Sara Sorribes Tormo who has had the more impressive summer, reaching the quarterfinals in Montreal and the semifinals last time out in Cleveland. She may have just enough to get past the Czech.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 3
Yesh: This should be a good match. Both women are playing well, and both look like potential threats here. No one loves the New York courts quite like Muchova does, though.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Fraser: This match should be must-see tennis. Both players are having career years this year and have played blisteringly good tennis at times throughout their 2021 campaigns. Muchova has more offensive weapons and greater variety which suggests this match is more on her racket than not. However, Sorribes Tormo is one of the best defenders in women’s tennis and her ability to cover the court and counterpunch mean she is more than happy to let her opponent be the aggressor. I’d give the edge to Muchova on the basis that she has had deep runs in Grand Slams before and knows how to win on the big stage. However, this one really could go either way.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
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Cristina Busca vs Jil Teichmann
Jim: Jil Teichmann made her name with success on the clay, but she has been impressing on hard courts over the last two seasons. If she can find the sort of tennis that took her to the final in Cincinnati, expect her to dispose of Cristina Bucsa without too many problems.
Prediction: Teichmann in 2
Yesh: Switzerland’s Teichmann is suddenly playing the best tennis of her career. Good for her, she has a draw here to keep playing well.
Prediction: Teichmann in 2
Fraser: This should be a comfortable win for the red0hot Teichmann. The Swiss star is fresh from her run to the final in Cincinnati which was by far her best hard court result of her career. Her flat forehand and aggressive game suit the hard courts in America and she will be expecting another good run here. Her opponent, Bucsa, did well to come through qualifying but simply isn’t of the same level as the top players on the women’s tour just yet.
Prediction: Teichmann in 2
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