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, Iga Swiatek vs Rebecca Peterson, 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
Clervie Ngounoue vs Daria Saville
Jim:
Speaking of players with a bright future, expect to hear more of Clervie Ngounoue in the future. Right now, however, it’s worth remembering that the American wild card is just 17 and has next to no experience of tennis at this level. Daria Saville should have the edge here.
Prediction: Saville in 2
Jordan:
This is a free hit for 17-year-old Ngounoue. The American wild card is currently ranked outside the Top 500 in the world. This will be a steep rise in the level she is used too. What may give her some hope is that the US Open is the slam Saville has struggled in most. She has managed just two second-round runs. But it is hard not to back her to make a third. I do think this will be a fun match though.
Prediction: Saville in 3
Yesh:
Sabille is a solid and consistent player. Ngounoue might have a ton of potential, but she’s young and not there yet. I wouldn’t be shocked if the American won, but don’t expect it.
Prediction: Saville in 2
Belinda Bencic vs Kamila Rakhimova
Jim:
This is a potentially tough first-round draw for Belinda Bencic, but the Swiss has been a consistent performer over the last couple of seasons, even if she hasn’t quite live up to her early promise. She will need to be focused, but barring a real off day she should have the beating of Kamila Rakhimova.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Jordan:
Bencic is a former semifinalist at Flushing Meadows. She has gone almost completely under the radar in the lead up to the event, but her game style is well suited to the conditions in New York. The Swiss also played pretty well in Washington and Montreal. Rakhimova got a boost from reaching a first WTA 125 final in Stanford. But at the US Open Bencic should have too much class.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Yesh:
Rakhimova is a solid enough player, but Bencic is a top talent who should contest in the latter rounds of this event. I wouldn’t expect the Swiss to falter so early.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
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Annna Kalinskaya vs Katerina Siniakova
Jim:
This has the makings of an entertaining match. Katerina Siniakova’s aggressive style should see to that. The Czech may also take some comfort from having won her only previous match against Anna Kalinskaya, though the fact that it was contested seven years ago suggests it may not have that much of a bearing on the outcome here. What is more relevant is that Kalinskaya has not played competitvely since the WTA Italian Open in May.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Jordan:
Siniakova has suddenly hit something of a brick wall since reverting back to hard courts after Wimbledon. She has lost all four of her matches. Kalinskaya has only reached the first round in 3 of her 12 Grand Slams, but all of those were at the US Open. I am backing her to cause an upset. Kalinskaya has a dangerous style of play, and Siniaková looks to be sorely lacking in confidence on North American hard courts.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
Yesh:
Siniakova, somehow, seems better at doubles than singles. I don’t know how, because her game is so suited to the individual sport. And yet she’s one of the best doubles players in the world. Kalinskaya has potential to spoil a better player’s day, but it’s not close to guaranteed.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
Caroline Wozniacki vs Tatiana Prozorova
Jim:
It’s tough to know exactly what to expect from Caroline Wozniacki at this year’s US Open. The Dane has played some good tennis since her comeback, winning one of her three matches, but she clearly isn’t the player she once was. Still, this looks like a good first-round draw for the former-world #1. Tatiana Prozorova will be making her Grand Slam debut and though she likely has a bright future, this will be a real step up in the quality of opposition.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 3
Jordan:
The former US Open finalist has looked impressive for a woman who has been away from professional tennis for over three years. It is inevitable she will take some time to get back near her very best. This could be very tight. Prozorova qualified for her first Grand Slam with a dramatic win in a third set tiebreak. The crowd will be right behind the Dane. That might just get her over the line narrowly.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 3
Yesh:
Wozniacki came back from her retirement in great form. She’s not consistent enough yet to be a real contender at the Major, but she should easily get through this match, and will probably go pretty far, too.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
