The US Open begins on Monday with a whopping 32 women’s matches on Day 1 of play. There is a ton of action around the grounds of the Billie Jean King Tennis Center, and our writers here at LWOT will share their thoughts on all of the matches with you. We split the 32 matches between eight articles. Our other articles feature Coco Gauff vs Laura Siegemund, Iga Swiatek vs Rebecca Peterson, Sloane Stephens vs Beatriz Haddad Maia, Caroline Wozniacki vs Tatiana Prozorova, Danielle Collins vs Linda Fruhvirtova, Elena Rybakina vs Marta Kostyuk, and Maria Sakkari vs Rebeka Masarova. Predicting these matches are Jim Smith, Jordan Reynolds, and Yesh Ginsburg. Who do you think will win?
US Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Alize Cornet vs Elina Avanesyan
Jim:
Alize Cornet reached the fourth round at the US Open back in 2020, but otherwise she has not thrived in New York. But her opponent Elina Avanesyan has played just one match on the North American hard courts so far this summer, and she lost it to Varvara Lepchenko. Cornet should have the edge here.
Prediction: Cornet in 2
Jordan:
20-year-old Avanesyan’s rise has been somewhat overshadowed by Mira Andreeva. But it has been very impressive. reaching the fourth round of the French Open, and three more quarterfinals in WTA events since. Cornet is unquestionably one of the most solid players in the women’s game, and has been for many years. Will Avanesyan’s talent be enough? I think it just might be. The slightly extra firepower could be too much for Cornet to handle.
Prediction: Avanesyan in 3
Yesh:
Avanesyan had a breakout performance at the French Open, and she looks like a big-stage player. Cornet, meanwhile, has had a poor 2023 after a stellar 2022 at the Majors. Don’t be too surprised if that trend continues on Monday.
Prediction: Avanesyan in 3
Jennifer Brady vs Kimberly Birrell
Jim:
This could probably go either way. Lucky loser Kimberly Birrell, who beat Leyre Romero Gormaz and Darja Semenistaja in the qualifying before falling at the final hurdle against Fiona Crawley, will have nothing to lose here and, if she can play her best tennis, this is a winnable match. But Jennifer Brady will have the crowd behind her and is probably the better player.
Prediction: Brady in 3
Jordan:
It has been great to see Brady return from her injury nightmare. Although she hasn’t won a huge number of matches in her last couple of tournaments in North America, much about her performances have been promising. Birrell will make her first US Open appearance, and is talented. But Brady to get a win her level recently deserves.
Prediction: Brady in 2
Yesh:
Brady looked like she was on pace to be able to win a Major until injuries essentially derailed her career. Her game flourishes on these courts, and she can probably go deep here if she’s healthy. Big if with Brady, though.
Prediction: Brady in 2
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Veronika Kudermetova vs Bernarda Pera
Jim:
Veronika Kudermetova’s US Open preparations took a hit when she was dismissed in the second round in Cleveland. She is good enough player to bounce back from that, but it has been a disappointing season for the Russian, particularly at the Majors. She is defending fourth-round points in New York, but don’t be surprised if she makes an early exit.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Jordan:
Kudermetova has not played many matches since Wimbledon, and hasn’t looked convincing in the ones she has played. But I don’t envisage any problems against Pera. The American is a clay court specialist, with nearly all the finals she’s reached at WTA Tour and a challenger level coming on the order. Pera lacks the tools to trouble Kudermetova on a hard court.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Yesh:
Pera is solid enough, and Kudermetova hasn’t looked comfortable on these types of courts recently. There is some definite upset potential here.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Victoria Azarenka vs Fiona Ferro
Jim:
Victoria Azarenka may not have won the title at the US Open, but the Belarusian has a good record in New York. She isn’t the force she once was and she arrives in indifferent form. But she tends to save her best for the Majors and even at this stage of her career, her best should be too good for Fiona Ferro.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Jordan:
Azarenka has not had an ideal preparation. Her warm-up events have been disrupted by losses and injury. Hopefully the former US Open finalist is fir for this one. She is a near certainty to win this one. Ferro has reached the third round at Flushing Meadows before. However, she is only just inside the Top 200 now, and also is a better player on clay.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Yesh:
Azarenka might not be elite anymore, but she’s still more often than not a top player. I don’t know if she’ll be able to win the Major or reach the latest rounds, but she should be fine getting through the early ones.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
