The second day of the US Open sees top seed Iga Swiatek, and Karolina Pliskova among the players in action in New York City at the final Grand Slam of the season. Here is your look at all the action as we preview and predict all day 2 matches.
Iga Swiatek vs Kamilla Rakhimova
Tope: There’s on player outside the top 100 that has beaten Iga Swiatek in 34 attempts. That is context of what to expect as the world #1 plays debutant Kamilla Rakhimova for the first time. Swiatek in 2
Jordan: This is an ideal first round match for Swiatek. There is nothing in lucky loser Rakhimova’s game to hurt her with. The world No. 1 will progress comfortably. Swiatek in 2
Nurein: This is a nightmare draw for the lucky loser Kamila Rakhimova who must have been delighted to get a second bite of the cherry in the tournament. Granted Iga Swiatek is vulnerable on hard courts, but this is the one hard-court Grand Slam she has won in her career and will be tough to beat. Swiatek in 2
Jessika Ponchet vs Saisai Zheng
Tope: Jessika Pomchet is 0-6 in the first round of Majors but she will pick up her first victory against a player who can’t even buy a win in 3 years. Ponchet in 2
Jordan: Ponchet possesses an old school style that is very rare in men’s or women’s tennis these days. Zheng has struggled for consistent results since returning from a two year hiatus. I like Ponchet’s chances of upsetting Zheng with her brand of tennis. Ponchet in 3
Nurein: After a strong qualifying campaign, Jessika Ponchet will be heavily favored to register her maiden US Open main draw win. She couldn’t have asked for a kinder draw. Saisai Zheng has played just five matches this season and lost all of them. Only one result here and it is a routine Ponchet win. Ponchet in 2
Lauren Davis vs Anna Kalinskaya
Tope: Even with home crowd in her sails, Lauren Davis will only extend her winless over-a-year run against a good hardcourt player. This should be a walkover. Kalinskaya in 2
Jordan: Kalinskaya is capable of going far on hard courts like those at the US Open if she is fit and healthy. Davis has her work cut and will need her opponent to make several unforced errors to win. The chances of that happening are slim, though. Kalinskaya in 2
Nurein: Anna Kalinskaya has retired in two of her last three tournaments. And the only way I can see her losing this match is if she threw in the towel because of another injury. Lauren Davis has had her fair share of injuries in the past year and has featured sporadically on Tour this season and still not performing to her desired level. Kalinskaya in 2
Karolina Pliskova vs Mayar Sherif
Tope: On any other surface, Mayar Sherif would have stood a chance, but the Egyptian hasn’t won on hardcourts in over a year and squaring up against a former finalist here and a player in better form will only lead to one outcome. Pliskova in 2
Jordan: Pliskova is not the player she once was. However, Sherif is a clay court specialist who will not enjoy facing the Czech’s flat groundstrokes. Pliskova should have the edge against the Egyptian on a hard court. Pliskova in 2
Steen: Pliskova has a slightly better record on the season and has been competing at a higher level than Sherif, this surface is a disadvantage for the player from Egypt as well, Sherif prefers clay and Pliskova should dictate the pace of play here. Pliskova in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
