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, 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
Mirra Andreeva vs Olivia Gadecki
Jim:
Will Mirra Andreeva be able to back up her exploits at Wimbledon. Reaching the second week might be tough, and she will need to be sharp from the off against Olivia Gadecki who looked sharp in coming through the qualifying. But if Andreeva plays her best tennis, or something close to it, she should have the beating of the Australian.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Jordan:
Andreeva has only played two tournaments since her stunning run at Wimbledon, and didn’t go far in either. Hence this could be a dangerous opening round due to being undercooked. However qualifier Gadecki is making just her second Grand Slam appearance. Andreeva may not be at her best, but should be able to find enough moments in this one to progress.
Prediction: Andreeva in 3
Yesh:
Andreeva has been on a meteoric rise since Madrid earlier this year, and it doesn’t look like much is going to stop her. I don’t know how far she’ll get in New York, but I’m pretty sure Gadecki won’t be the one to stop her.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Anhelina Kalinina vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Jim:
Sara Sorribes Tormo had a fine week at the WTA 250 in Cleveland. Will the Spaniard be able to be back that up in New York? This is not the easiest first-round draw, though Anhelina Kalinina did withdraw ahead of her second-round match in Ohio. If the Ukrainian is not fully fit, the determined Sorribes Tormo should have the edge here.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 3
Jordan:
Sorribes Tormo comes into this after a stunning title run in Cleveland, winning the second tournament of her career. By contrast Kalnina has struggled for wine during the North American hard court season. However I am backing the Ukrainian here. Although the Spaniard is one of the fittest players on the WTA Tour, playing again less than 48 hours after such a mental and physical effort is a big ask for Sorribes Tormo.
Prediction: Kalinina in 3
Yesh:
Kalinina has been in generally better form this year, though most recently Sorribes Tormo has been more impressive. Assuming Kalinina is fully recovered from whatever forced her to withdraw from Cleveland, I think she’ll be in a (slightly) better position.
Prediction: Kalinina in 3
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Margarita Betova vs Yuriko Miyazaki
Jim:
Britain’s Yuriko Miyazaki had to battle hard to secure her spot in the main draw; will she be able to take advantage of it? She’s been handed a relatively kind first-round draw in Margarita Betova, who has played just one match since Wimbledon, which she lost 2-6 1-6 to Kaia Kanepi. With the momentum she picked up in the qualifying, Miyazaki might have just about enough here.
Prediction: Miyazaki in 3
Jordan:
On paper this is a great opportunity for both players. Miyazaki has never won a Grand Slam main draw match, but Betova is on a long losing streak after returning from a long injury lay off. Betova may be more experienced, but she has struggled so badly that I think the talented Brit might have enough in her locker to get a first Grand Slam win.
Prediction: Miyazaki in 3
Yesh:
This is a tremendous opportunity for both players. Neither has had much chance for success at the Grand Slam level, and this will get at least one of them to the second round. I have no idea really who to go with, though Miyazaki has been solid enough recently.
Prediction: Miyazaki in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Rebecca Peterson
Jim:
Iga Swiatek may be at her best on the clay, but her hard-court record is still very impressive, with the highlight her US Open triumph last year. She may find things more difficult this year with plenty of her rivals in form, but Rebecca Peterson is not one of those rivals. Expect the Swede to be outclassed here.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Jordan:
The defending champion wasn’t at her absolute best in Montreal or Cincinnati, but still reached the semifinals or both events. That is still strong preparation, and I think she will be able to play herself into form in New York. Peterson has had some good results this year, but a player with one Grand Slam third round to her name should not overly trouble the world #1.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Yesh:
Iga Swiatek is, by far, the best player in the world. Sure, she’s not as dominant on hard courts as on clay, but honestly, she can often be close enough. Peterson is solid enough to challenge most players, but not Swiatek.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
