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 Maria Sakkari vs Yafan Wang. 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
Ajla Tomljanovic vs Ann Li
Jordan:
Tomljanovic’s form has not inspired recently. Although Li played well to qualify, her level has also dipped after playing excellently at a couple of clay court tournaments after Wimbledon. It could be a tight battle, but I think Tomljanovic will be consistent enough to progress.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 3
Damian:
Tomljanovic got something going during the grass swing, but has barely been winning matches since. She’s usually quite good in New York though and while Li will have the qualifying momentum, the Australian has a much higher ceiling than her opponent.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 3
Jim:
Ann Li might have felt slightly aggrieved at having to battle her way through the qualifying at her home Slam, but the match practice in New York might also end up as a boon. Alja Tomljanovic is probably the better player, but the Australian has been battling injuries and may be short of the required sharpness.
Prediction: Li in 3
Moyuka Uchijima vs Tamara Korpatsch
Jordan:
Korpatsch has not won a main draw match at WTA 250 level and above since the French Open. Although this is not a bad draw for either player, it favors Uchijima more. Korpatsch just cannot seem to get over her struggles.
Prediction: Uchijima in 3
Damian:
Korpatsch is just 3-16 off-clay this season, while Uchijima had that win streak in the spring and is enjoying the best year of her career. The Japanese can be hard to stop once she catches rhythm and Korpatsch just doesn’t seem like she’ll have the fight in her at the moment.
Prediction: Uchijima in 2
Jim:
It does not look like there will be a huge amount in this one with neither player having performed particularly impressively in recent weeks. Tamara Korpatsch does have the advantage in terms of experience, however. In a close match, that might just prove to be the difference.
Prediction: Korpatsch in 3
Oceane Dodin vs Anhelina Kalinina
Jordan:
Dodin has only played one match in the last three and a half months since getting injured at the Italian Open. That was a first round defeat at Wimbledon. Although the Frenchwoman is talented, it is hard to see her overcoming Kalinina with so few matches under her belt.
Prediction: Kalinina in 2
Damian:
Few players smash the ball as hard as Dodin and that makes a tricky opponent in the opening rounds, you’re not going to get too much rhythm. But now that the Frenchwoman has barely played since May, Kalinina seems like a very natural favorite in this one.
Prediction: Kalinina in 2
Jim:
It is a something of a surprise that Oceane Dodin has never quite managed to tie it all together–the fundamentals of her game are very much there. Anhelina Kalinina, by way of contrast, has done well to maximize her talent and delivered some impressive results, even if she has fallen away slightly this year.
Prediction: Kalinina in 3
Emma Navarro vs Anna Blinkova
Jordan:
Blinkova will need to be aggressive and hope she executes her shots more often than normal. The 25-year-old has no chance if Navarro is allowed to dictate the rallies. The American is a strong favorite to start well in New York.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Damian:
Having been on top of her game pretty much throughout the year, Navarro would love to go on a US Open run as a cherry on top. Blinkova comes up with upsets from time to time, but is on a losing streak now. This would be as surprising as when she defeated Rybakina in Melbourne.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Jim:
Emma Navarro has been in excellent form over the last few months and whilst she still probably lacks the X-factor to have a real impact at the very highest level, she is a very solid player and an excellent competitor. This looks like being a relatively comfortable day at the office for the American.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
