Tuesday is Day 2 at the US Open, and there are 32 women’s matches across the grounds at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center. As always, we here at LWOT are here to share our thoughts on all the matches for you. We split the 32 matches between eight articles. Our other articles for Day 2 feature Iga Swiatek vs Jasmine Paolini, Venus Williams vs Alison Van Uytvanck, Sloane Stephens vs Greet Minnen, Petra Kvitova vs Erika Andreeva, Garbine Muguruza vs Clara Tauson, Jessica Pegula vs Viktorija Golubic, and Emma Raducanu vs Alize Cornet. Predicting these matches are Glenys Furness, Johnny Connell, and Fraser Learmonth. Who do you think will win?
US Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Elise Mertens vs Irina-Camelia Begu
Glenys:
Tricky one to call, this. Neither have had particularly good starts to the American hard court swing. Mertens furthest has been the third round, whilst Begu only got as far as the second round whilst seeded. The Belgian is seeded and should have the edge over the Romanian.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Johnny:
Elise Mertens has generally looked a shadow of the player she once was, but there have been some better signs of late. This is the type of matchup Mertens should be winning at this stage of her career against Begu, especially on a hard court. It’s hard to pick Mertens with much confidence these days but I will give her the benefit of the doubt.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Fraser:
Mertens is a great player at her best, but she has slipped in recent months and is vulnerable. By contrast, Begu is enjoying her best year of tennis for quite some time. The Romanian is better on clay but can give anyone a tough match on her day. I expect Mertens to find some form in the U.S. as she has enjoyed this tournament in the past. Back the Belgian in this one.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Paula Badosa vs Lesia Tsurenko
Glenys:
The Spaniard made the semifinal in Silicon Valley, but since then has not progressed beyond the first round. Tsurenko made the quarter final in the Hungarian Open where she didn’t win a game before retiring at 2-0 down in the second set. Since then the Ukranian hasn’t played and could struggle here.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Johnny:
Paula Badosa isn’t living up to her lofty ranking of late. The pressure seems to be getting to the Spaniard. There will be even more pressure on Badosa to perform this week, especially in this matchup where she is a heavy favorite. Tsurenko is a solid opponent, very dangerous on her day. This could be a lot closer than the rankings suggest, but Badosa should fight through in the end.
Prediction: Badosa in 3
Fraser:
Badosa will be desperate to find some real form towards the end of her year as 2022 hasn’t quite lived up to the levels of her 2021 campaign. She has a real opportunity to start positively here and should have more than enough in the locker to get past Tsurenko and in to the second round.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Laura Siegemund vs Sorana Cirstea
Glenys:
The German and the Romanian seem evenly matched. Their last two events both have lost in the second rounds. Siegemund will be wanting to at least equal the third round finish from 2016, which has been her best result here and at any Grand Slam. Cirstea has also never gone further than the third round, but will want to better last year where she went out in the second round. A tricky one to call this.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Johnny:
Sorana Cirstea has the game to overpower Laura Siegemund on a quicker hard court. The German hasn’t been a threat at this level for quite some time, it would take something out of the ordinary for her to suddenly cause some damage in this matchup.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2
Fraser:
Cirstea is having one of the better years of her career so far in 2022. Siegemund is a good player still attempting to make her way back from injury and could do with a good run in a big tournament like this. Cirstea has more power and is more aggressive and that should pay dividends on these courts.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2
Naomi Osaka vs Danielle Collins
Glenys:
Osaka has had a horrid season. The Japanese retired against Kanepi in the Canadian Open in the second set and lost in the first round in Cincinnati. Collins will have the crowd behind her. The American’s season has not been great either. The match won’t be a classic.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Johnny:
Arguably the pick of the first round matchups, a brutal draw for both. Osaka’s preparation hasn’t been great but she’s a two-time former champion in New York for a reason, she remains a serious contender if she’s in the draw no matter what form she brings into the event. Collins hasn’t played a match in almost two months and has struggled with injuries ever since reaching the Australian Open final in January. I’ll side with Osaka here. Her form isn’t good but at least she has matches under belt and she usually thrives in New York.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
Fraser:
Osaka is a bit of a mystery at the moment. The Japanese is perhaps best placed to dominate hard court slams for years to come. However, she has played little tennis this year and is obviously battling with the limelight more than she is letting on. She should win here, but how deep she goes after that is anyone’s guess.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
