With 32 matches on the slate on day two at the US Open, expect plenty of entertaining action from New York. 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, 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 last 64?
US Open Day 2 Predictions
Karolina Pliskova vs Catherine McNally
Jim: More than once in her career, Karolina Pliskova has looked primed to finally end her wait to lift a Grand Slam title only to fall to a shock early defeat. But don’t expect that to happen here. Catherine McNally has a bright future, but her development has stalled slightly over the last season or so. This should be comfortable enough for the Czech.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Jack: At only 19-years-old, Caty McNally likely has a fruitful career ahead of her. Who could forget her US Open debut, where she pushed Serena to a third set with some fearless tennis. I can’t see Pliskova losing so early on, however, as the Czech will likely stoically serve her way to a win.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Fraser: Pliskova turned a very poor start in 2021 into quite the season with impressive runs on the clay and grass. She capped it off by reaching the Wimbledon final and has managed to claw her way back into the top ten in the women’s game. She faces a young talent who has yet to fully impose herself on the WTA tour in McNally. The young American can be a handful when on song and has an all-court game that is a joy to watch. However, Pliskova is in great form and seems determined to win that elusive Grand Slam. The courts of New York suit her powerful game and she should do well here.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
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Anastasija Sevastova vs Katerina Siniakova
Jim: Anastasija Sevastova has a very fine record at the US Open, but the Latvian has not had a productive year. Katerina Siniakova, in contrast, should be playing with plenty of confidence after a good start to the North American summer swing.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Jack: Of all the first-round matches, the Sevastova vs Siniakova match is one of the hardest to call. Both players have an impressive ceiling to their games and either could take the win if they are playing at their best. I’ll give the edge to Siniakova who has a few more weapons at her disposal if things gets sticky.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
Fraser: Sevastova is surely the better singles player of these two. She has also enjoyed great success in New York. However, she has run very hot and cold over the last 18 months and it’s hard to know which version of her is going to show up. By contrast, Siniakova has been consistently good without being amazing which pretty much sums up her career. If Sevastova is off then that should be enough to see the Czech through here.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
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Varvara Gracheva vs Nuria Parrizas Diaz
Jim: Varvara Gracheva’s campaign in Chicago last week came to a chastening end at the hands of Alize Cornet in the semifinals as she surrendered a one-set lead to lose 6-4 1-6 0-6. But it was a broadly encouraging week for the Russian nonetheless and this looks like a winnable match for a player of her ability.
Prediction: Gracheva in 3
Jack: After Parrizas Diaz’s journey to the US Open draw, it would be amazing to see her go one step further. Gracheva has also won her fair share of matches recently and, after a more impressive run in Chicago, I feel as though the fairytale comes to an end here.
Prediction: Gracheva in 3
Fraser: Gracheva should have this match in the bag if she plays her best tennis. The young Russian has had a breakout year in 2021 and looks capable of carrying that momentum forward into next year. Parrizas-Diaz has done very well to reach the top 100 and arrives in New York in great form off the back of a W10 title two weeks ago. However, she doesn’t have the level to match Gracheva here and this match is very much on the Russian’s racket.
Prediction: Gracheva in 2
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Anna Karolina Schmiedlova vs Ashlyn Krueger
Jim: Ashlyn Krueger looks to be the latest player to come off the USTA’s production line with the 17-year-old being given the chance to test herself at the highest level after being awarded a wildcard. But although she could have faced a tougher draw, this still looks like a tough ask for the teenager. The experienced Anna Karolina Schmiedlova should prove too strong.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 2
Jack: Krueger’s very limited experience could make it easy to overlook the 17-year old, especially against a title winner in Anna Schmiedlova, who had to graft her through qualifying. She’s a dangerous player, however, and could turn it on for a set – but no more than that.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 3
Fraser: Schmiedlova was once one of the rising stars in the women’s game but has failed to reach those heights for quite some time now. But she is still a dangerous opponent and a better hard-court player than Krueger and should win this match without too much difficulty. This tournament may well be her ticket back into the top 100. At the very least it should be an opportunity to play in the second round of a Grand Slam.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 2
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