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, Leylah Fernandez vs Oceane Dodin, Bianca Andreescu vs Harmony Tan, Coco Gauff vs Leolia Jeanjean, Maria Sakkari vs Tatjana Maria, and Ons Jabeur vs Madison Brengle. Predicting these matches are Manuel Traquete, Tracey Essex, and Jim Smith. Who do you think will win?
US Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Barbora Krejcikova vs Fernanda Contreras Gomez
Manuel:
This should be quite the mismatch, between a top 25 player and one ranked outside the top 200. Krejcikova should be able to win with relative ease.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Tracey:
Krejcikova’s singles ranking continues to drop. Though, it won’t change the outcome of this match. Expect the Wimbledon doubles champion to breeze through her singles opener. It’s not an easy path for the Czech and her best chance to lift a trophy is in the doubles draw.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Jim:
It has been a difficult few weeks for Krejcikova. She has won only a handful of matches in recent weeks and her confidence looks low. Contreras Gomez, in contrast, will surely be full of belief after an impressive showing in the qualifying. Pencil this one in as an upset.
Prediction: Contreras Gomez in 3
Dalma Galfi vs Nuria Parrizas-Diaz
Manuel:
Both players are of similar level, but Parrizas Diaz is more suited and experienced on hard courts.
Prediction: Parrizas Diaz in 3
Tracey:
Parrizas-Diaz should go one better than her 2021 appearance. Expect her to get through her opener, but not much further.
Prediction: Parrizas-Diaz in 3
Jim:
Galfi comes into the US Open rather undercooked having been out of action since the second week of July. In a match with little in it otherwise, on paper at least, that might just prove to be the difference.
Prediction: Parrizas-Diaz in 2
Sara Sorribes Tormo vs Viktoria Kuzmova
Manuel:
Sorribes Tormo was lucky to draw one of the lowest ranked players in the draw and should be able to advance here.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 2
Tracey:
Kuzmova has won the only meeting against Sorribes Tormo, but consider that ancient history. That 2018 clash was against a much different Sorribes Tormo. Today’s Sorribes Tormo is a human backboard. It will force Kuzmova to go for too much too soon and the error count will mount.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 2
Jim:
Sorribes Tormo is invariably a difficult opponent to face. Hard courts are not necessarily the happiest hunting ground for the Spaniard, but her excellent court-coverage and consistency make her hard to break down on any surface. She should have too much for Kuzmova.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 3
Simona Halep vs Daria Snigur
Manuel:
Halep won in Toronto and comes in as one of the tournaments favorites. This first round shouldn’t be much of a challenge.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Tracey:
Daria Snigur will enjoy her maiden Slam berth. It’s a tough ask against an in-form Simona Halep. Expect Halep to run away with this one–but kudos to Snigur for getting here.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Jim:
Halep is perhaps not quite back to her Grand Slam winning best, but the Romanian certainly looks well-placed to make an impact in New York over the coming fortnight. Snigur looked sharp in the qualifying, but expect this to be a challenge too far for the Ukrainian.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
