The US Open begins with Day 1 on Monday, in what could include the final singles match of Serena Williams’ career. Do you think the all-time great will win? As always, our writers at LWOT share their thoughts on all the day’s matches. We split the Day 1 matches between eight articles. In addition to this article, our other articles feature Serena Williams vs Danka Kovinic, Anett Kontaveit vs Jaqueline Cristian, Leylah Fernandez vs Oceane Dodin, Coco Gauff vs Leolia Jeanjean, Maria Sakkari vs Tatjana Maria, Simona Halep vs Daria Snigur, and Ons Jabeur vs Madison Brengle. Predicting these matches are Jakub Bobro, Yesh Ginsburg, and Jim Smith. Who do you think will win?
US Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Liudmila Samsonova vs Sara Bejlek
Jakub:
A very exciting first-round match here. Samsonova is coming into the US Open off of two titles, Washington and Cleveland, and on a 10-match win streak. Bejlek, 31-9 on the year, is making her Slam main draw debut after qualifying at just 16 years old. The young Czech beat experienced players like Kristina Mladenovic and Heather Watson to get here. It will be interesting to see Bejlek’s tennis at this level, Samsonova should be a bit too much for her on current form though.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Yesh:
Bejlek was impressive in qualifying, and honestly looked more than good enough to beat Samsonova last week. Then again, last week Samsonova won the tournament in Cleveland, so she’s playing well. All in all, a potentially winnable draw for the qualifier, but not with how Samsonova is playing right now.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Jim:
It’s probably fair to say that 16-year-old Bejlek is a surprise qualifier. But the Czech certainly earned her place in the main draw with victories over Kristina Mladenovic, Priscilla Hon, and Heather Watson. But expect her fairytale run to come to an end here.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Ajla Tomljanovic vs Karolina Muchova
Jakub:
Tomljanovic comes in as a dangerous unseeded floater, defeating Paula Badosa and Veronika Kudermetova (twice) in the lead-ups. Muchova is a strong player on her day but has question marks around her fitness as she retired from her most recent match. With that said, the Croat has to be the favorite.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 2
Yesh:
There’s really not much to say about this match. Tomljanovic is in fine form right now. Muchova… isn’t.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 2
Jim:
This should be a very watchable match with both players at their best when playing on the front foot. But Muchova, for all her quality, has not been able to stay fit over the last few months and that may well leave her short of rhythm. With Tomljanovic in good form after a run to the last eight in Cincinnati, expect this challenge to be beyond the Czech.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 2
Shelby Rogers vs Arantxa Rus
Jakub:
Rogers looked very good in the lead-ups, going all the way to the final in San Jose and pushing Aryna Sabalenka hard in Cincinnati. The American has also reached the second week in her last two US Open appearances. Rus has been playing largely ITFs this season and has been unable to be dominant on that level. Rogers is a strong favorite here.
Prediction: Rogers in 2
Yesh:
Shelby Rogers is in generally consistent form right now, which should scare the field. The American is always good for an upset or two at a Major, and that’s when she’s not already generally playing well. There’s no telling what she can do here.
Prediction: Rogers in 2
Jim:
Rogers is not the most consistent performer, but if she plays her best tennis or anything close to it, she should have the beating of Rus. The Dutchwoman covers the court well, but her groundstrokes lack real penetration. The same cannot be said of the powerful Rogers.
Prediction: Rogers in 2
Bianca Andreescu vs Harmony Tan
Jakub:
Andreescu, the 2019 champion here, is a player permanently surrounded in question marks. The Canadian was unable to start her season until April and has had some highs since but her lead-up was less than ideal, going 2-2. Tan had a career-best run at Wimbledon, starting with defeating Serena Williams upon her return from injury and taking it all the way to the fourth round. Since then, the 24-year-old’s results have regressed to the mean. This match could go either way, depending on what Andreescu brings on the day but I will go with the Canadian here.
Prediction: Andreescu in 2
Yesh:
It’s not 2019 anymore for Andreescu, but the Canadian is trying to find her way back to that form. She has the right draw to do it, as Harmony Tan has very little that can really challenge her. As long as the Canadian is healthy, she’ll be fine.
Prediction: Andreescu in 2
Jim:
Andreescu is still struggling to develop any sort of rhythm, but this matchup should suit the Canadian. Tan will not be intimidated in taking on a player with Andreescu’s record–her 2019 win over Serena Williams attests to that much–but it is hard to see the Frenchwoman out-foxing the former-champion.
Prediction: Andreescu in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
