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 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, 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
Rebecca Peterson vs Anna Kalinskaya
Jakub:
Peterson had a mixed lead-up to the US Open, which she chose to do solely in Canada. The Swede made it to the semifinals in Vancouver but took opening round losses to Cristina Bucsa and Nuria Parrizas-Diaz in her other tournaments, winning just three games against the latter in her most recent match. Kalinskaya went 5-2, looking solid in Washington and Cincinnati. On current form, the Russian should be the favorite.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
Yesh:
Peterson has been playing fine this year, though nowhere near as well as a year ago. Still, she’s a more reliable pick than Kalinskaya, who is out of form and has questions about her health.
Prediction: Peterson in 3
Jim:
Both Peterson and Kalinskaya have struggled for consistency of late, with Kalinskaya also having to battle injury. This could probably go either way, but Peterson looked wayward in her first-round loss in Granby. Expect Kalinskaya to have the edge.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
Nadia Podoroska vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova
Jakub:
wo players with very little form on hard courts heading into the US Open here, Podoroska’s last win on the surface being last August while Schmiedlova won just ten games in her two lead-up events. The Slovak has had more success on hard courts in the past which makes her a slight favorite for me.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 2
Yesh:
Schmiedlova is in terrible form right now. She’s the better player in this matchup, at least on hard courts, but I can’t trust her to win a match with how she looks at the moment.
Prediction: Podoroska in 3
Jim:
Neither player has exactly been in sparkling form on hard courts, but Podoroska has at least been winning some matches, reaching an ITF-level final on the clay in Gran Canaria. Schmiedlova hasn’t won a match since the first week of July and that doesn’t look likely to change here.
Prediction: Podoroska in 3
Magdalena Frech vs Rebecca Marino
Jakub:
nteresting match-up between two players on the edge of the Top 100. Both had decent lead-ups to the US Open, Frech going 43 while Marino beat Venus Williams en route to a Washington quarterfinal out of qualifying. The Pole has won both of their previous meetings, both on hard and last season so she should be a slight favorite here.
Prediction: Frech in 3
Yesh:
It’s always tough to judge Canadian players at the US Open. Marino impressed in Canada, but that was likely a home country overperformance. Frech is more solid when not on Canadian soil and should be able to win this matchup.
Prediction: Frech in 3
Jim:
Frech has been playing solid if not spectacular tennis of late, but she will need to be at her best up against Marino whose powerful game should be effective in New York. But Frech has been playing the better tennis, if only marginally, and should be the player to reach the second round.
Prediction: Frech in 3
Serena Williams vs Danka Kovinic
Jakub:
Serena Williams is a legend and in most people’s eyes, the greatest of all time. However, her form since she returned from injury at Wimbledon has not been the best, defeating only Nuria Parrizas-Diaz. The motivation could not be higher for Williams though, playing in her farewell tournament and having a favourable draw to start. Kovinic has lost her last five matches, including a 0 and 2 blowout against Parrizas-Diaz in Cincinnati. The Montenegrin is sure to bring her best to the biggest match of her career but I expect the American to come out victorious.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Yesh:
I have had a rule for a long time: Never predict against Serena Williams. This will be a weird match, of course, as it’s potentially the all-time great’s last match. Doesn’t matter. My rule isn’t changing.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Jim:
Williams clearly isn’t the force she once was, but this is a relatively kind draw for the great American on (probably) her last bow. Kovinic is a solid enough player, but she doesn’t have the sort of firepower or accuracy off the ground to really trouble Williams if the 23-time Major champion plays anything like her best tennis.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
