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, Iga Swiatek vs Jasmine Paolini, Sloane Stephens vs Greet Minnen, Petra Kvitova vs Erika Andreeva, Garbine Muguruza vs Clara Tauson, Jessica Pegula vs Viktorija Golubic, and Emma Raducanu vs Alize Cornet. Predicting these matches are Glenys Furness, Johnny Connell, and Fraser Learmonth. Who do you think will win?
US Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Amanda Anisimova vs Yulia Putintseva
Glenys:
Anisimova made the quarter final in Silicon Valley, defeating Karolina Pliskova along the way. However, Pliskova avenged that at the Candian Open in the second round. Anisimova handed a walkover to Shelby Rogers in Cincinnati second round so the build up has not been ideal. Putintseva got the quarter final in the Canadian Open but lost to Keys in the first round in Cincinnati, a slightly better build up. Neither are on top form going into the US Open.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Johnny:
This is a fun matchup. Extreme contrasting styles between Anisimova and Putintseva. Many will expect Anisimova to cruise through this one, but I think this is a very difficult first round draw for Anisimova. Putintseva is the type of opponent that can trouble Anisimova when she is nervous, that will be the case in the first round of her home Slam. The pressure is on Anisimova; she might crack.
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Fraser:
Great match featuring two very different styles of play. Anisimova is the bigger ball striker with the higher ceiling, and that should be enough on these courts. Putintseva will make it a fight, but one that the American should win.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Bernarda Pera vs Anhelina Kalinina
Glenys:
Pera’s build up to the US Open has been fantastic. The American played the warm up event in Cleveland and lost to Liudmila Samsonova in the semifina, and she made the final in Massachusetts. Kalinina however, has not had a good build up. The Ukranian has not progressed beyond the first round in the build up events.
Prediction: Pera in 2
Johnny:
Bernarda Pera has quietly been one of the most productive players on tour over the last couple of months. It will be interesting to see if the American can translate her recent successes at the lower level to the big stage in New York, I don’t think she can. However, she should be good enough to beat Kalinina in the first round, a relatively favorable matchup on this surface.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Fraser:
Pera is one of the in-form players on the tour at the moment. She might not be as big a threat on hard courts, but she should still do some damage this week if she can maintain her level. Kalinina has enjoyed a career year this year, but likely won’t enjoy much success in New York.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Karolina Pliskova vs Magda Linette
Glenys:
An up and down build up for the Czech, second round in Silicon Valley but the semi final in the Canadian Open before then losing in the second round in Cincinnati. Pliskova has reached the final in Flushing Meadows before so she knows how to compete here. The furthest Linette has gone in the build up was the quarter final in Massachusetts so on paper this looks like a fairly even match up. However, the Pliskova should just have the edge
Prediction: Pliskova in 3
Johnny:
Pliskova trashed Linette in their two earlier encounters in 2017, though much has changed since then. Pliskova is far more vulnerable, and Linette has improved her game on the hard courts. This one has upset potential, Linette has the solid game to pounce is Pliskova is having a bad day, which is a frequent occurrence these days. I’ll give Pliskova the benefit of the doubt on a quicker hard court, but it won’t be easy.
Prediction: Pliskova in 3
Fraser:
Pliskova has a game tailor-made for these courts. She’s done very well in New York in the past and there is no reason she can’t do well again this year. Linette will put up a fight, but the Czech moves on provided she serves at a decent clip.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Venus Williams vs Alison Van Uytvanck
Glenys:
A former winner here, Williams will be the crowd favorite. Venus has not had a good campaign on the hard courts in the lead up, losing in the first round of each of the last played in. Van Uytvanck though, has had worse luck. Retiring in the first set in Prague and not played since. Both will be desperate for the win
Prediction: Van Uytvanck in 3
Johnny:
Venus Williams has been nothing more than a walking bye in her last couple of appearances; she simply can’t compete at this level anymore. Luckily for Venus she has been dealt a relatively good draw. Van Uytvanck isn’t setting the world on fire at the moment; she hasn’t completed a match since Wimbledon. If Venus serves well, she can keep this close, but I expect her game to break down at some stage.
Prediction: van Uytvanck in 3
Fraser:
The last hoorah for Serena and likely for her sister as well by the looks of things. I expect the home crowd and emotion of the occasion to put some fire in her belly and pick her up a win or two in the early rounds. Van Uytvanck is a great player but I don’t thinks he’s good enough to get in the way of this momentous occasion.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
