The US Open begins with Day 1 on Monday, in what could include the final singles match of Serena Williams’ career. Do you think the all-time great will win? As always, our writers at LWOT share their thoughts on all the day’s matches. We split the Day 1 matches between eight articles. In addition to this article, our other articles feature Serena Williams vs Danka Kovinic, Anett Kontaveit vs Jaqueline Cristian, Bianca Andreescu vs Harmony Tan, Coco Gauff vs Leolia Jeanjean, Maria Sakkari vs Tatjana Maria, Simona Halep vs Daria Snigur, and Ons Jabeur vs Madison Brengle. Predicting these matches are Jakub Bobro, Yesh Ginsburg, and Jim Smith. Who do you think will win?
US Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Xiyu Wang vs Dianne Parry
Jakub:
Wang made the semifinals as a lucky loser at Washington, including a win over Victoria Azarenka. Parry made the third round at the last two slams, surprisingly enough, and also had a decent run at Granby. The Frenchwoman is a slight favorite for me.
Prediction: Parry in 3
Yesh:
Wang is leading a young Chinese charge, and she gets a draw here at the US Open where she can show that off. Parry is a good opponent, but Wang is the better player with more potential.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Jim:
Wang’s run to the quarterfinals in Granby was encouraging, as was her run to the last four in Washington, D.C., and this looks like a winnable match for the Chinese. But Parry has also looked sharp and the Frenchwoman reached the semifinals in Granby. Expect a close match, but at this early stage in their careers, Wang’s level is probably slightly higher than Parry’s.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Ana Konjuh vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Jakub:
After a promising start to her season in Australia, Konjuh has struggled. The Croat has won just three matches since January and not played at all since Strasbourg in mid-May. Haddad Maia has had an absolutely stunning season, rising to No. 15 in the rankings after three WTA titles and a run to the Toronto final. The Brazilian has not had a deep slam run yet this year and she could get one started here.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Yesh:
Haddad Maia is having an incredible year, but she’s not showing up at the Majors. For the second straight Slam, she enters off an impressive run. At Wimbledon, that ended with a first-round loss. She really shouldn’t see the same happen here, but it’s not impossible.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Jim:
Haddad Maia has been one of the stories of the summer with the Brazilian playing some excellent tennis. Konjuh, in contrast, has hardly been on the court with the Croatian’s struggles to stay fit continuing. There can surely only be one winner here.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Alison Riske vs Eleana Yu
Jakub:
Riske has only made it past the second round at the US Open once in her career back in 2013 but will have a good opportunity this time around, coming up against Yu, who got her spot by winning the Junior National Championships. Yu will be an interesting watch but Riske’s experience should shine through here.
Prediction: Riske in 2
Yesh:
Yu might be one to watch in the future, earning this wild card by winning the under-18s in Kalamazoo, but she got a horrid draw to do something with it. The young American can’t beat Alison Riske.
Prediction: Riske in 2
Jim:
It will be interesting to see what sort of level Eleana Yu can muster here. The American wild card is surely the most inexperienced player in the draw, but she has nothing to lose and will be able to swing freely. Ultimately, however, this will almost certainly be a challenge too far for the 17-year-old.
Prediction: Riske in 2
Leylah Fernandez vs Oceane Dodin
Jakub:
Defending finalist Fernandez has not had the ideal preparation for the US Open. The Canadian skipped the grass season but has only beaten Storm Sanders in the lead-ups on hard. Dodin has been in terrible form though, winning just one in her last ten matches. The Frenchwoman is an erratic hard-hitter and Fernandez’s retrieving and consistency should be good enough to advance, even if she is not playing her best tennis.
Prediction: Fernandez in 2
Yesh:
Dodin once had potential, but those days are far off now. Fernandez, meanwhile, is an absolute future star. The young Canadian still needs some adjustment time after breaking out last year, but she’s getting there.
Prediction: Fernandez in 2
Jim:
It would be a surprise if Fernandez were to repeat her run to the final with the Canadian having looked rusty on her return to action in Toronto and Cincinnati. But Dodin has also been in no kind of form at all. So whilst another run to the final might be unlikely, Fernandez should at least be able to reach the second round.
Prediction: Fernandez in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
