With the schedule packed full of entertaining matches, the fans should have plenty to enjoy on day two at the US Open. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Ashleigh Barty vs Vera Zvonareva, Viktorija Golubic vs Bianca Andreescu, Karolina Pliskova vs Catherine McNally, Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Sakkari, Jamie Loeb vs Iga Swiatek, Petra Kvitova vs Polona Hercog and Anett Kontaveit vs Samantha Stosur. But who will reach the second round?
US Open Day 2 Predictions
Emma Raducanu vs Jennifer Brady
Jim: This was probably not the sort of draw Jennifer Brady was hoping for. After an excellent start to the season, the American has been undone by injury and comes into this year’s US Open very short of matches. She did look sharp on her return to action in Cincinnati, but had to retire midway through her second-round clash with Jelena Ostapenko. With Emma Raducanu doubtless full of confidence, do not be surprised if the Briton pulls off another big win.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
Yesh: Emma Raducanu might be Britain’s great hope, but she’s up against a powerful American baseliner here. As long as Brady can stay healthy, I’m not sure who can beat her here. The question is how long Brady can stay healthy.
Prediction: Brady in 2
Jack: Is the highlight of the first-round matches? Where Jennifer Brady’s form has dipped ever so slightly due to ongoing injuries, Emma Raducanu’s is in the ascendancy and she’ll be extremely motivated to show everyone Wimbledon wasn’t a one-off. She’s certainly got the game for it – I’ll go for the upset.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
*Editor’s note: Jennifer Brady has withdrawn from the US Open and been replaced by Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland.
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Paula Badosa vs Alison Van Uytvanck
Jim: Alison Van Uytvanck can be a dangerous opponent due to her willingness to take big cuts at the ball and the relatively flat trajectory of her groundstrokes. But Paula Badosa has had an excellent season and, frankly, the Spaniard is a cut above her opponent. That should be reflected in the scoreline here.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Yesh: Van Uytvanck hasn’t been the same player in recent years as she used to be. Badosa, meanwhile, is playing very well, and looks like a future star.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Though Van Uytvanck has won a title this year, facing Badosa is a step up in quality that Van Uytvanck may struggle to make. I can’t see the match panning out differently from easy holds for the Spaniard and an uphill battle for the Dutchwoman.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
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Hailey Baptiste vs Zhang Shuai
Jim: Hailey Baptiste is yet to entirely convince at tour-level, although at just 19 she still has time very much on her side. She has a chance in this match, but Zhang Shuai is an experienced campaigner and the Chinese should have just about too much for the young American.
Prediction: Zhang in 3
Yesh: Baptiste hasn’t risen as rapidly as Coco Gauff, but she’s another future American star. The Washington, D.C. native is up to #180 in the world. She might be an underdog in this matchup, but she’ll like these courts and will have a home crowd to cheer her on.
Prediction: Baptiste in 3
Jack: The wildcard Baptise might only be the American #26, but after qualifying for Roland Garros earlier this year and giving Kenin a run for her money, she has shown she will eventually belong on the main tour. The youngster could catch Zhang off-guard.
Prediction: Baptiste in 2
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Jelena Ostapenko vs Nadia Podoroska
Jim: This may not be one of the headline matches of day two at the US Open, but it should be a watchable match. Ultimately, however, the conditions are more favourable to the hard-hitting Jelena Ostapenko than they are Nadia Podoroska. Expect the Latvian to have the edge.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Yesh: This is just a great matchup at the first round of a Major. Podoroska has just had a breakout year, and Ostapenko is a former Major champion who hasn’t quite found that level since. This is a coin flip, and it will depend on if Ostapenko can avoid errors.
Prediction: Podoroska in 3
Jack: Possibly the most erratic player on the tour, Ostapenko is a nightmare to predict. Podoroska isn’t the easiest first-round (she’s hardly a one-surface wonder) and could ride out the storm to the second round. I’ll side with the Latvian given some of her confident wins earlier this year, but your guess is probably as good as mine.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
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