Tuesday is Day 2 at the US Open, and there are 32 women’s matches across the grounds at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center. As always, we here at LWOT are here to share our thoughts on all the matches for you. We split the 32 matches between eight articles. Our other articles for Day 2 feature Naomi Osaka vs Danielle Collins, Venus Williams vs Alison Van Uytvanck, Sloane Stephens vs Greet Minnen, Petra Kvitova vs Erika Andreeva, Garbine Muguruza vs Clara Tauson, Jessica Pegula vs Viktorija Golubic, and Iga Swiatek vs Jasmine Paolini. Predicting these matches are Tracey Essex, Damian Kust, and Fraser Learmonth. Who do you think will win?
US Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Claire Liu vs Anastasia Potapova
Tracey:
American Claire Liu will have the support of the crowd. Will that be enough for her to get past Potapova? I doubt it.
Prediction: Potapova in 2
Damian:
Anastasia Potapova is hardly consistent, but she’s got the potential to reach the top echelon of the game. It seems like recently she’s managed to start delivering that with more and more frequency.
Prediction: Potapova in 2
Fraser:
Potapova is in good form this year and should go deep in New York. She has the game to be a seriously good player on the WTA Tour and maybe even a Grand Slam winner at some point. Watch out for her in this one.
Prediction: Potapova in 2
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Peyton Stearns
Tracey:
Alexandrova should see little resistance in her opener. Stearns will be overpowered and outplayed. Stearns’ only goal should be to get a couple of games. This is one-way traffic.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Damian:
The 2022 NCAA champion has already made some good ITF runs, but she didn’t land in a pleasant spot in the draw here. Ekaterina Alexandrova will like the faster conditions and should overpower her from the ground.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Fraser:
Alexandrova has too much power and too much experience to drop the ball in this one. The Russian has a game made for these courts and should make a good go of it in this event.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Petra Martic vs Varvara Gracheva
Tracey:
A commanding head-to-head of 4-0 for Martic gives her a deserved level of confidence. While Martic’s win-loss continues to take a hit, this is a match she should feel certain of winning. Gracheva has lost nine of her last 10 matches. I don’t see this as an opportunity to improve that stat.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Damian:
Petra Martic leads the head-to-head 4-0, although they only faced once on hard courts. Varvara Gracheva’s current form (nine losses in a row) doesn’t bode well for her chances of earning her first win in this rivalry.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Fraser:
Gracheva is winless in 10 matches and that trend has to end at some point. I expect it ends here with a win over Martic who has looked good in spurts this year but never consistently enough for my liking.
Prediction: Gracheva in 3
Emma Raducanu vs Alize Cornet
Tracey:
Cornet is a fierce competitor and she will be confident that she can pull of an upset. Her return game may well put Raducanu on her heels. Yet, the defending champion has been raising her game and will be primed for another title run. Momentum will shift between these two–Cornet counterpunching and Raducanu looking to power past the Frenchwoman. This is the popcorn match of the day.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
Damian:
Emma Raducanu loves the lighter balls and is a serious dark horse candidate, provided she gets through round one here. Someone as smart and experienced as Alize Cornet will provide a very tough challenge. One of the best matchups of the round.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
Fraser:
History is not on Raducanu’s side here. The women’s side of the game hasn’t had anyone defend their title in ages and I don’t think she will be bucking that trend. The tour knows who she is now and the pressure is on. First round exit anyone?
Prediction: Cornet in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
