The US Open swing officially begins this week, headlined by the WTA 500 level Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose. A whole host of big names will be in action when main draw action commences on Monday. Amanda Anisimova leads the American charge, whilst newly crowned Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina will be playing her first match since becoming a Grand Slam champion. Rybakina faces a tough test against the seventh seeded Daria Kasatkina. How do you think she will she fare? We also predict the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article.
WTA San Jose Day 1 Predictions
Ashlyn Krueger vs Amanda Anisimova
H2H: First meeting.
Amanda Anisimova will be expected to make a dominant start in San Jose when she faces 18-year-old wild card Ashlyn Krueger. Anisimova will be playing her first match since a confidence-boosting run to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and will be one to keep an eye on during the US Open series. Krueger is not used to this level of opposition having spent her time on the ITF circuit where she has consistently lost to players significantly below Anisimova’s quality. This should be a beatdown.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Taylor Townsend vs Storm Sanders
H2H: First meeting.
Taylor Townsend and Storm Sanders each successfully came through the qualifying draw in San Jose, each should be feeling confident about their chances heading into this opening round clash in the main draw. It’s hard to know what to expect from Townsend. The American is the better player but it’s hard to pick her with much confidence as she doesn’t have much recent form to go off. I’ll give Townsend the benefit of the doubt with home court advantage.
Prediction: Townsend in 3
Daria Kasatkina vs Elena Rybakina
H2H: 1-1.
All eyes will be on Elena Rybakina as she returns to the tour as the reining Wimbledon champion. Rybakina played breathtaking tennis to capture the title at SW19, the question is can she continue with that level? Or will the pressure that comes with being a Slam champion see her stumble like many before her?
Daria Kasatkina wasn’t able to compete at Wimbledon but did make her own big breakthrough at a major a month earlier when she made the semifinals at Roland Garros. Kasatkina was the runner-up at this event last year, clearly she is a dangerous opponent in these conditions and on recent form.
I’ll side with Kasatkina here, I think Kasatkina is a tough opponent for Rybakina is this situation, especially at night where the conditions will be quite slow. It’s very common for newly crowned Grand Slam champions to struggle in the preceding tournaments.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
