{"id":27273,"date":"2020-08-31T14:04:18","date_gmt":"2020-08-31T18:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/?p=27273"},"modified":"2020-08-31T11:07:03","modified_gmt":"2020-08-31T15:07:03","slug":"us-open-day-2-womens-predictions-serena-williams-ahn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2020\/08\/31\/us-open-day-2-womens-predictions-serena-williams-ahn\/","title":{"rendered":"US Open Day 2 Women&#8217;s Predictions Including Serena Williams vs Kristie Ahn"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Day 2 of the US Open sees the first round wrap up. We at LWOT are predicting as many of the matches as we can. In fact, we&#8217;re predicting 28 of the day&#8217;s 32 scheduled matches. Each set of predictions looks at four matches. That means that we have six more sets in addition to this one. One features <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/2020\/08\/31\/us-open-womens-day-2-predictions-swiatek-kudermetova\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Iga Swiatek vs Veronika Kudermetova<\/a>, another headlines <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/2020\/08\/31\/us-open-womens-day-2-predictions-anisimova-tomova\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Amanda Anisimova vs Viktoriya Tomova<\/a>, the next features <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/2020\/08\/31\/us-open-womens-day-2-predictions-venus-williams-muchova\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Venus Williams vs Karolina Muchova<\/a>, one looks at <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/2020\/08\/31\/us-open-womens-day-2-predictions-konta-watson\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Johanna Konta vs Heather Watson<\/a>, another headlines <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/2020\/08\/31\/us-open-womens-day-2-predictions-azarenka-haas\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Victoria Azarenka vs Barbara Haas<\/a>, and the last features <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/2020\/08\/31\/us-open-womens-day-2-predictions-clijsters-alexandrova\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kim Clijsters vs Ekaterina Alexandrova<\/a>. Predicting this set of matches are Tracey Essex, Jim Smith, and Damian Kust.<\/p>\n<h2>US Open Day 2 Women&#8217;s Predictions<\/h2>\n<h4><strong>Elise Mertens vs Laura Siegemund<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><em>Tracey:<\/em><br \/>\nReaching the final in Prague, followed by a semifinal appearance in New York shows the fabulous form of Elise Mertens. A challenge in the form of Laura Siegemund should be of little concern to the in-form Belgian. Certainly, the German isn\u2019t an easy opponent. Mertens solid play should be more than enough for a straight sets win.<br \/>\n<em>Prediction: Mertens in 2<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Jim:<\/em><br \/>\nMertens is a player to watch out for this fortnight. The Belgian, a first-round loss in Palermo aside, has excelled since the season resumed and she has form on the biggest stage, having reached the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/australian-open\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Australian Open<\/a> semifinals in 2018. With the draw missing so many star names, another deep run looks very achievable. Expect her to prove too strong for Siegemund.<br \/>\n<em>Prediction: Mertens in 2<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Damian:<\/em><br \/>\nSiegemund would much rather contest this one on clay. Elise Mertens has been one of the world\u2019s best players since the restart and it would be quite a shock if she lost here.<br \/>\n<em>Prediction: Mertens in 2<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"KZDIBiW1QlxiDgYSMT51sQ\" class=\"gie-single\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1269405677\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'KZDIBiW1QlxiDgYSMT51sQ',sig:'ZaCX97ccsgJuPGpHDqAz_xGJ2LPE3BHiszywyUv89tc=',w:'396px',h:'594px',items:'1269405677',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Katerina Siniakova vs Kaia Kanepi<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><em>Tracey:<\/em><br \/>\nKaia Kanepi\u2019s last tournament was the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/australian-open\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Australian Open<\/a> in January 2020. Undoubtedly, the Estonian is lacking match play and will have a lot of rust in her game. Siniakova exited in the first rounds at the Top Seed and Western &#038; Southern tournaments. Obviously, form is not at the level the Czech would like. Recent match play should give Siniakova enough to edge this one out.<br \/>\n<em>Prediction: Siniakova in 3<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Jim:<\/em><br \/>\nKanepi may be approaching the end of her career, but what a career it has been. And although her most notable successes came some years ago now, she has enjoyed the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/us-open\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">US Open<\/a> recently, reaching the quarterfinals in 2017 and upsetting the top-seeded Simona Halep en route to the fourth round in 2018. With Siniakova struggling, the stage could be set for another memorable week in New York for Kanepi.<br \/>\n<em>Prediction: Kanepi in 3<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Damian:<\/em><br \/>\nThe Czech played a lot of clay-court tennis during the pandemic break, but she has yet to turn this match rhythm into good results. We know much less of Kaia Kanepi\u2019s current form, although she beat Sevastova and Ostapenko at the end of July. Kanepi\u2019s power is always to rival and she is sort of famous for sudden Grand Slam runs out of nowhere. Maybe this can be another one?<br \/>\n<em>Prediction: Kanepi in 3<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"_K9f3wCDQoVtXh3zpEtYjw\" class=\"gie-single\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1200623059\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'_K9f3wCDQoVtXh3zpEtYjw',sig:'SeTx65D51o-goHkMZhkia-BzWpTKoRstWhhVIQpQ4tQ=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1200623059',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Zhang Shuai vs Ysaline Bonaventure<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><em>Tracey:<\/em><br \/>\nZhang Shuai is such a clinical player. Strokes which she can replicate time and time again give the Chinese a low error count. Add to it Zhang\u2019s all court game where she can transition from baseline to net, and it\u2019s a tough opponent for Bonaventure.<br \/>\n<em>Prediction: Zhang in 2<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Jim:<\/em><br \/>\nZhang has not enjoyed massive success at the US Open, where she has never gone beyond the third round, but she in nonetheless an experienced campaigner with two Grand Slam quarterfinal appearances to her name. Expect her to prevail against the debutant Bonaventure.<br \/>\n<em>Prediction: Zhang in 3<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Damian:<\/em><br \/>\nWhile Zhang didn\u2019t look convincing against Yulia Putintseva in \u201cCincinnati\u201d, I\u2019m certain that with more practice and tuning in her groundstrokes she should find a way through here. Bonaventure failed to impress since the restart and doesn\u2019t have the game to hurt the Chinese woman.<br \/>\n<em>Prediction: Zhang in 2<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"bGDS3n-aSpxF_rSS3o33qw\" class=\"gie-single\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1208358588\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'bGDS3n-aSpxF_rSS3o33qw',sig:'NXoABDIHqEwVGvM0VmlEAX8tTOTndcQ03Iz0I6sFris=',w:'594px',h:'405px',items:'1208358588',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Kristie Ahn vs Serena Williams<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><em>Tracey:<\/em><br \/>\nSerena struggled through a tough, three-set bout against Maria Sakkari. The theme of Serena\u2019s loss was &#8220;missed opportunities.&#8221; Closing out in straight sets will preserve the 38-year-old Williams\u2019 legs and strength. This is perhaps her last, best chance to secure the elusive #24. While compatriot Ahn has been playing solid, this moment is just too big. This won\u2019t be a history-making first round loss for Serena.<br \/>\n<em>Prediction: Williams in 2<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Jim:<\/em><br \/>\nIt is difficult to know what to expect of Williams heading into the US Open. The American has shown flashes of her best tennis since the season resumed, but little more than that. But she often saves her best for the biggest stage and will not want for motivation, with Margaret Court\u2019s record of 24 Majors within reach. Ahn, meanwhile, enjoyed the week of her life in New York last season, but she has regressed to the mean since. Even not at her best, Williams should have too much.<br \/>\n<em>Prediction: Williams in 2<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Damian:<\/em><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/2019\/09\/06\/serenas-24th-grand-slam-struggle\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Grand Slam number 24<\/a> seems far away from Serena right now. Still, the American will have enough determination to find through her issues. There will be players who will do damage to Serena (and probably beat her) later in the tournament, but I don\u2019t think Kristie Ahn has the game to do it.<br \/>\n<em>Prediction: Williams in 2<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Main Photo from Getty.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Day 2 of the US Open sees the first round wrap up. We at LWOT are predicting as many of the matches as we can. In fact, we&#8217;re predicting 28 of the day&#8217;s 32 scheduled matches. Each set of predictions looks at four matches. That means that we have six more sets in addition to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1601,"featured_media":19569,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,69],"tags":[1412,11971,2007,2254,11972,1228,11970,460,25,2373,2369,8278,3616,4569,6218,11973],"class_list":["post-27273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wta","category-predictions","tag-elise-mertens","tag-elise-mertens-vs-laura-siegemund-prediction","tag-kaia-kanepi","tag-katerina-siniakova","tag-katerina-siniakova-vs-kaia-kanepi-prediction","tag-kristie-ahn","tag-kristie-ahn-vs-serena-williams-prediction","tag-laura-siegemund","tag-serena-williams","tag-tennis-picks","tag-tennis-predictions","tag-us-open-day-2-predictions","tag-us-open-predictions","tag-ysaline-bonaventure","tag-zhang-shuai","tag-zhang-shuai-vs-ysaline-bonaventure-prediction"],"modified_by":"Yesh Ginsburg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27273","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1601"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27273"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27273\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19569"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27273"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27273"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27273"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}