The US Open kicks off on Monday, with a whopping 32 women’s first-round matches scheduled for Day 1. As always, we here at LWOT will share our thoughts on all of the matches. We split the 32 matches between eight articles. In addition to this article, our other articles feature Aryna Sabalenka vs Priscilla Hon, Madison Keys vs Katerina Siniakova, Amanda Anisimova vs Qinwen Zheng, Coco Gauff vs Varvara Gracheva, Elina Svitolina vs Maria Lourdes Carle, Victoria Azarenka vs Yuliia Starodubtseva, and Emma Navarro vs Anna Blinkova. Predicting this set of matches are Jordan Reynolds, Damian Kust, and Jim Smith. Who do you think will advance?
US Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Viktoriya Tomova
Jordan:
Alexandrova reached the semifinal in Monterrey before the US Open, narrowly losing at that stage to Lulu Sun. Some of her best level should be enough to overcome Tomova. Alexandrova needs to have a bad serving day to be in trouble in this matchup.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Damian:
You never know what to expect from Alexandrova with her hit-or-miss playstyle, but maybe coming off Monterrey semis can help out a little. Tomova will try to extend the points here and already beat her once this year, so it’s far from obvious the Russian will prevail.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Jim:
The US Open has not been a happy hunting ground for Viktoriya Tomova over the years. By way of contrast, Ekaterina Alexandrova always seems to be a good value for a run to the third round at a Slam and made the last 32 in New York last year. Don’t be surprised to see her repeat the trick.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Magdalena Frech vs Greet Minnen
Jordan:
Minnen often struggles against baseliners who dig in and do not make many mistakes. Frech usually does that well, especially on hard courts. I think she will wear the Belgian down over three sets.
Prediction: Frech in 3
Damian:
Minnen is surely the better ball-striker, but Frech’s ability to maximize her potential over the past few years has been incredible to follow. It leaves us with a pretty open affair, let’s say the Pole can get another win mostly by being more disciplined and doing some smart grinding.
Prediction: Frech in 3
Jim:
Greet Minnen played some solid tennis in reaching the last 16 in Cleveland last week having started her week in the qualifying. But Magdalena Frech is probably a cut above the Belgian. If Minnen plays her best tennis, she might just have enough. But Frech looks the likelier winner.
Prediction: Frech in 3
Peyton Stearns vs Lesia Tsurenko
Jordan:
There will be many long rallies between these two. Stearns has slightly more firepower and will hope that makes the difference in front of her home crowd. It does make her a slight favorite at Flushing Meadows.
Prediction: Stearns in 2
Damian:
Tsurenko was surprisingly good in the last couple of seasons and it looks like this is the moment when she’s hitting a wall. Some of that has been due to physical issues as well with all the retirements and walkovers. Stearns made the fourth round last year and this is not a tough draw right now.
Prediction: Stearns in 2
Jim:
Peyton Stearns will be under pressure to deliver at the US Open this year after making the last 16 a year ago. A repeat of that run might be a tall order for the American, particularly as she does not have the protection of a seeding, but she should still have the beating of the Ukrainian veteran.
Prediction: Stearns in 3
Maria Sakkari vs Yafan Wang
Jordan:
Wang has beaten Karolina Pliskova and Sofia Kenin during the North American hard court season. That means Sakkari, who has endured a tough season, cannot afford any complacency here. However, Pliskova and Kenin self-destructed pretty spectacularly against Wang, and Sakkari would need to be far below her best to lose.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Damian:
Sakkari’s performances in the Slams over the last two seasons have been awful, and she’s had to look for results elsewhere to maintain her Top 10 status. She’s still the favorite over Wang here, but the mental block is there now and she needs to go deep at a Major soon.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Jim:
Maria Sakkari’s career has really hit the buffers this year, though it is a testament to her quality that she remains the ninth seed heading into the US Open. But this is the sort of match that she has made (and retained) the habit of winning. She should have the edge here.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
