Day 2 of the US Open will see 24 women’s first-round matches. Who will advance to Round 2 and who will be sent home early? As always, our writer share their thoughts on all of the matches. We split the 24 matches between six articles. The other articles feature Venus Williams vs Karolina Muchova, Madison Keys vs Renata Zarazua, Mirra Andreeva vs Alycia Parks, Petra Kvitova vs Diane Parry, and Victoria Mboko vs Barbora Krejcikova. Predicting these matches are Yesh Ginsburg, Damian Kust, and Jordan Reynolds. Who do you think will advance?
US Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Daria Kasatkina vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse
Yesh:
Kasatkina is such an enigma. One year she looks like a Top 10 player; the next she looks lucky to stay in the Top 100. Ultimately, I’ll go with her superior talent, but her current level of play leaves a ton to be desired.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 3
Damian:
Ruse has that habit of performing well at Slams against top-level opponents, but usually not getting the job done. Kasatkina’s form this year being so mediocre, you’d think this would be a good shot for the Romanian. It’s a bit worrying she hasn’t won even a set since Wimbledon, but I’ll back her to finally close out an upset this time around.
Prediction: Ruse in 3
Jordan:
Ruse might fancy her chances against Kasatkina, who has had a mostly poor season. However, the Romanian is most dangerous on clay. Kasatkina should find a way past her on the hard courts in New York.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Caroline Garcia vs Kamilla Rakhimova
Yesh:
It’s crazy to think that three short years ago, we all thought Garcia would be winning this tournament. Now, unable to stay healthy and hang with the elites, the Frenchwoman is hanging up her racket. She has to have at least one good match in her, though.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Damian:
Garcia is getting ready to say goodbye at an event that she reached the semifinals in three years ago. The Frenchwoman is calling it off pretty early and hasn’t hit physical decline yet. It could help her produce something memorable on the verge of retirement and she’s still got the firepower, so this is just about how often she finds the court.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Jordan:
This is not a bad draw for either player. Despite Garcia being a former US Open semifinalist, the soon-to-be-retired Frenchwoman has not been near that level for a few years. Rakhimova will try to utilize her superior movement, and she has a good chance of prevailing.
Prediction: Rakhimova in 3
Iva Jovic vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Yesh:
The American teenager is certainly a future star. She just needs consistency and rhythm. Will she find it in her home Slam? She did last year, and I expect her to do it again, at least fo a little bit.
Prediction: Jovic in 2
Damian:
17-year-old is undeniably just learning her way on the tour, but has already shown she can hang with many a player. However, it’s important not to underestimate Sasnovich’s ball-striking talent, even if her ranking is going downhill for a reason. She rarely puts it together these days and the youngster will punish that.
Prediction: Jovic in 2
Jordan:
Jovic is among the most interesting players to watch at the US Open. The young star has the potential to go far at a Grand Slam. Regardless of whether she does or not at this year’s US Open, I expect her to control the rallies and overcome Sasnovich.
Prediction: Jovic in 3
Elina Svitolina vs Anna Bondar
Yesh:
Svitolina has looked good enough to win Majors in the early rounds this year. She hasn’t done it in later rounds against the best of the best, but I expect he to blast through her first few opponents with ease.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Damian:
Poor Bondar keeps running into Svitolina at Slams this year and it doesn’t end well. The former World No. 3 hasn’t lost in the first two rounds at the US Open since 2014 and how solid she’s been all year suggests she could do it again. Especially as Bondar would have a higher chance of coming closer to her on clay (their Roland Garros match was quite good).
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Jordan:
Svitolina tends to be solid in the opening round of Grand Slams. I doubt Bondar, who does not possess a significant weapon, poses any threat to the multiple-time Grand Slam semifinalist.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
