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, Bianca Andreescu vs Harmony Tan, Coco Gauff vs Leolia Jeanjean, Simona Halep vs Daria Snigur, and Ons Jabeur vs Madison Brengle. Predicting these matches are Manuel Traquete, Tracey Essex, and Jim Smith. Who do you think will win?
US Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Camila Giorgi vs Anna Bondar
Manuel:
Neither player is in good shape coming in, but Giorgi tends to generally be the superior player and has the slight edge here.
Prediction: Giorgi in 3
Tracey:
Giorgi plays her best on hard courts and expect her to show that strength here. A hard, flat ball will be a lot for Bondar to overcome. The only thing which could upend Giorgi is herself. If she’s off on her timing, and hitting errant balls, Bondar has a chance. I don’t expect the hard-hitting Italian to miss a second round here.
Prediction: Giorgi in 2
Jim:
Giorgi has not enjoyed much success at the US Open and has not reached the second week since 2013. That is something of a surprise with the conditions in New York generally suiting the sort of first-strike tennis that Giorgi plays. At any rate, expect her to at least reach the second round this year.
Prediction: Giorgi in 2
Coco Vandeweghe vs Maryna Zanevska
Manuel:
Another match with very little to choose between both players, who are similar in level. Zanevska might have the slighest of edges.
Prediction: Zanevska in 3
Tracey:
At one time, I saw Coco Vandeweghe as destined for Top 5 on the WTA Tour. Too many injuries and too many years have probably ended that opportunity. But there’s no denying that Vandeweghe is capable of making quick work of this skirmish. Look for powerful forehands behind a big first serve. It’s the second serve which will give Zanevska any opportunity.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 2
Jim:
Vandeweghe made a welcome return to form at the Thoreau Open, winning the title. She has not quite managed to back that up in the weeks since, losing in the second round in Vancouver, but it was an encouraging run all the same and this looks like a winnable match for the former-semifinalist.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 3
Martina Trevisan vs Evgeniya Rodina
Manuel:
It’s not every day you see an unranked player at a Slam. Rodina hasn’t played a single match in over three years and it’s unlikely she can be competitive in her first match back.
Prediction: Trevisan in 2
Tracey:
With little match play under her belt, Rodina will find it a tough go against Trevisan. The Italian should see little resistance en route to the second round.
Prediction: Trevisan in 2
Jim:
Trevisan remains rather more at home on the clay than on hard courts, but the Italian has demonstrated an improved aptitude for hard-court tennis of late. Up against a player in Rodina who has been out of action since the 2019 WTA Eastbourne Open, expect Trevisan to enjoy a comfortable enough day at the office.
Prediction: Trevisan in 2
Maria Sakkari vs Tatjana Maria
Manuel:
They’re actually playing for a third time in Slams this year: Sakkari won in Australia and Maria at Wimbledon. On hard courts, it should be advantage Sakkari again.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Tracey:
Germany’s Maria is always a tricky opponent. Her wicked slice and cagey dropshots has twice been Sakkari’s undoing. The hard courts at the US Open won’t be as favorable as Wimbledon was for Maria. And, by now, the Greek is well-aware of Maria’s style.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Jim:
It’s been a disappointing summer so far for Sakkari with her run of poor form stretching back to Wimbledon where she lost in the third round to none other than Maria. But the German is that much more dangerous on a grass court. On a hard court, expect Sakkari to have the edge.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
