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, Leylah Fernandez vs Oceane Dodin, Bianca Andreescu vs Harmony Tan, Coco Gauff vs Leolia Jeanjean, Maria Sakkari vs Tatjana Maria, Simona Halep vs Daria Snigur, and Ons Jabeur vs Madison Brengle. Predicting these matches are Jakub Bobro, Yesh Ginsburg, and Jim Smith. Who do you think will win?<\/p>\n
Jakub:<\/em> Yesh:<\/em> Jim:<\/em>
\nKrunic reached her third career WTA final earlier this season in Budapest, first since 2018, but the Serb has struggled to translate that into hard form, losing both her matches in the lead-ups in straight sets. Avanesyan is making her slam main draw debut here after coming close to qualifying in Australia earlier this season. The Russian got three solid wins in qualifying, including over Maja Chwalinska<\/a>. Krunic did make her only second-week slam appearance here back in 2014 but on current form, the young Russian should be a slight favorite here.
\nPrediction: Avanesyan in 3<\/em><\/p>\n
\nKrunic is the better player, but she gets an opponent who looked solid in qualifying. Still, I have to stick with the woman who is a better player overall and who has played on much bigger stages far more times.
\nPrediction: Krunic in 3<\/em><\/p>\n
\nKrunic played some fine tennis to reach the final in Budapest, but she has reverted to the mean since, struggling on the North American hard courts. Avanesyan, meanwhile, impressed in coming through the qualifying and, if she can maintain that level, she should have the beating of Krunic.
\nPrediction: Avanesyan in 2<\/em><\/p>\n