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 Iga Swiatek vs Rebecca Peterson, Victoria Azarenka vs Fiona Ferro, 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
Karolina Muchova vs Storm Hunter
Jim:
Karolina Muchova wasn’t able to back up her run to the French Open final at Wimbledon, losing in the first round in SW19, but she demonstrated that her efforts in Paris were not a flash in the pan with another runner-up finish in Cincinnati. If she can maintain the level she displayed in Ohio, she should have too much for Hunter.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Jordan:
Muchova’s run to the final in Cincinnati was very welcome after a drop in form since her French Open final run. She is still hot being talked by most as a contender in New York, but may be being written off too quickly. Muchova will have too much for her Australian opponent. She is a solid competitor, but a record of one win in nine previous Grand Slam appearances doesn’t give much reason for confidence.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Yesh:
Muchova isn’t often appreciated, but she’s one of the best players in the world. And she brings her best tennis to the biggest occasions. Against someone like Hunter, she should cruise. Easily.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Magdalena Frech vs Emma Navarro
Jim:
Magdalena Frech looked sharp in the qualifying at the WTA Cleveland Open, but wasn’t able to back that up in the main dra, losing 1-6 3-6 to Jasmine Paolini. That does not inspire much confidence ahead of her clash with Emma Navarro, who is enjoying the best season of her career and will surely have the crowd right behind her.
Prediction: Navarro in 3
Jordan:
This is a hard one to call. Navarro is the higher ranked player and has played some good tennis at times this year. But the American is usually more comfortable on clay. Frech’s year has been far from perfect, and lately especially she has struggled for wins. But I am backing the Pole. Her game is more suited to hard courts than Navarro’s, and I think the American’s brand of tennis could play into her hands.
Prediction: Frech in 2
Yesh:
Navarro is another player who likely isn’t appreciated as much as she could be. And the hard courts of the US Open should remind her of the NCAA courts, where she excelled. Don’t be surprised if the American impresses this tournament.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
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Magda Linette vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Jim:
After her exceptional start to the season at the Australian Open, Magda Linette has found it relatively tough going. The Pole did reach the third round at Wimbledon, but she was well-beaten there by Belind Bencic and she then lost in the first round in Montreal and Cincinnati. But Aliaksandra Sasnovich has also been struggling at Tour-level and Linette is the player with a Grand Slam semifinal appearance under the belt.
Prediction: Linette in 3
Jordan:
Both players have not picked up many wins in the North American hard court season. They also have similar precious results at the US Open. Linette is a seeded player and ranked considerably higher than her opponent though. However, I am giving the edge to Sasnovich. Her level can fluctuate, but I think she might find her best clean hitting to cause a slight upset.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
Yesh:
Perhaps I overestimate Sasnovich on these courts, but her game really is suited to the American hard courts. She hasn’t really shown it recently, but the potential is there. I’m smelling a possible upset.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
Coco Gauff vs Laura Siegemund
Jim:
Fresh from her triumph in Cincinnati, Coco Gauff will need to guard against a let down when she takes on the experienced qualifier Laura Siegemund. But Gauff won the title in Cincinnati for a reason. This shouldn’t be too taxing of an assignment for the American.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Jordan:
Expectations have skyrocketed in the media since Gauff won Washington, but especially since her Cincinnati title run that included a win against Iga Swiatek. Hopefully the still very young American handles the hype at her home Grand Slam. She will have too much for Siegemund. The 35-year-old veteran did well in qualifying and is always fun to watch. But she lacks the firepower to seriously test Gauff.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Yesh:
Coco Gauff is approaching Grand Slam-winning potential. Of course, getting past Iga Swiatek still won’t be easy, but getting past just about anyone shouldn’t be too difficult. Siegemund can be solid enough on her day, but this won’t be her day.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Main Photo Credit: Albert Cesare-USA TODAY Sports
