The US Open is about to begin! It’s the end of the 2019 Grand Slam season. Who will take home the trophy in New York? To start, we have to see who will win on Monday. We’re here to predict as many matches as we can for you. In addition to this article, we also have four more sets of predictions. One features Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova. Another headlines Elina Svitolina vs Whitney Osuigwe. The third highlights Sofia Kenin vs Coco Vandeweghe. And the fourth features Madison Keys vs Misaki Doi. Predicting today are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), Tracey Essex, and Brett Margolies.
US Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Maria Sakkari vs Camila Giorgi
Tracey:
Anyone who watched Camila Giorgi compete at the inaugural Bronx Open understands the Italian’s ability to fight. The hard-hitting Italian can send blistering winners past her opponents. When Giorgi’s shots are firing, the Italian clearly owns the court. Sakkari can fight through any match. We’ve seen her win even when she’s appears to be totally out of the match and has claimed wins over five Top 10 players already. It’s amazing with the Greek has accomplished as one of the WTA tour’s lowest first serve percentage players. She has to rely on way too many second serves. If Sakkari can get that stat up during this Slam, a deep run is well within her grasp.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Brett:
This is one of the better first-round matches at the US Open. Giorgi is very hot and cold, but she seems to be playing well with a finals appearance in the Bronx. Playing the week before Slams is always tricky as fatigue might set in. Giorgi could’ve made a run with a good draw, but I think Sakkari wins a close one here.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Yesh:
Giorgi can be a frustrating player. She is so talented but has never quite put it together. She has flashes of brilliance, but never anything consistent. Sakkari, meanwhile, is having a very strong season. I have to go with consistency here.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Daria Gavrilova vs Fiona Ferro
Tracey:
In their last meeting (Eastbourne qualifiers), Fiona Ferro won that match 6-3 6-0. With Gavrilova’s form so off, and a 2-8 win-loss record on har courts, I doubt the Aussie can really throw out much of a challenge for Ferro. While Ferro probably won’t get too far into the US Open draw, she is a much better player than Gavrilova and will make her way to the second round.
Prediction: Ferro in 2
Brett:
Gavrilova hasn’t been able to get anything going all season long. If Fiona Ferro didn’t have a good run last week in the Bronx, I would’ve thought Gavrilova had a chance to pull off the upset. Ferro reached the Round of 16 in what was her first hard court event of the summer. Ferro only has one main draw win at a Slam in her career; I think she gets #2 here.
Prediction: Ferro in 3
Yesh:
Gavrilova is a more talented player. Ferro has been playing much better this year. But Gavrilova is much more comfortable on a hard court. This will boil down to the Australian finding her form enough to win. I think she does, but just barely.
Prediction: Gavrilova in 3
Ivana Jorovic vs Iga Swiatek
Tracey:
Iga Swiatek continues to produce amazing results against the tour’s top talent. Surely, Swiatek will be joining that upper echelon soon. Seems the 18-year-old is quickly learning to play a more conservative style and using her big hitting when the moment calls for it. The Pole is adding more weapons to build a strong all court game as we saw in her victory over former World #1 Caroline Wozniacki in Toronto. This is the perfect match to start Swiatek’s bid. And, as one of the quickest players – she averages 39.3 minutes per set – it should take about 78 minutes to seal her second round spot.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Brett:
Iga Swiatek has been in great form all summer, coming through qualifying in both Toronto and Cincinnati. The 18-year-old is in the midst of a breakthrough season and is a dark horse to make a run in New York. She gets a favorable draw with Jorovic up first. Swiatek won’t have any trouble here.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Yesh:
It’s hard not to like Swiatek right now. She has a ton of talent and is playing well. We’ll see how far she can go here, but it’s definitely further than one round.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Saisai Zheng vs Venus Williams
Tracey:
If this match happened later in the tournament, I’d surely pick Zheng for the win. The Silicon Valley titleholder can make you hit more balls than you’d like and from the most uncomfortable places on the court. Since Venus will be fresh and have her legs, chasing down Zheng’s crafty shots should be no problem in Round 1. It may take a bit for Venus to get a read on Zheng’s balls, so I’ll give the Chinese woman a set. The unforced error count is awfully high for the elder Williams sister but we won’t see many errors when Venus steps in to return Zheng’s weak second serve.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Brett:
The fans have really embraced Venus the last couple of years at the US Open. It was nice to see her play well in Cincinnati, reaching the quarterfinals before falling to eventual champion Madison Keys. I think she’ll continue that good form and advance to the second round.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Yesh:
Williams had a strong showing in Cincinnati, which tells me she’s healthy and ready to compete at the US Open. Zheng might push her for a bit, but expect Venus’ superior talent to pull through.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Main Photo:
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