The opening round continues on Day 2 of the US Open, with 26 first-round women’s matches on the schedule. As always, we here at LWOT share our thoughts on all of the matches with you. We split the 26 matches between seven articles, with the other articles featuring Aryna Sabalenka vs Camila Osorio, Naomi Osaka vs Anastasia Zakharova, Amanda Anisimova vs Ashlyn Krueger, Iga Swiatek vs Xiyu Wang, Maja Chwalinska vs Taylor Townsend, and Linda Noskova vs Katie Volynets. Predicting these matches are Nurein Ahmed, Manuel Traquete, and Ilemona Onekutu. Who do you think will win on Monday?
US Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Qinwen Zheng vs Kristina Liutova
Nurein:
Liutova is having an extraordinary season and this will be her Grand Slam main draw debut. You could see the relief on Qinwen Zheng’s face when she qualified for this tournament. The Chinese star still retains a Top-10 level serve and forehand and the question was how quickly she would regain her confidence. It’s been a slow process, but she’s getting there. I’m leaning Zheng.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
Manuel:
It is unusual to see someone with Zheng’s resume play qualifying but she made the most of it, winning every match in straights and gaining some good momentum ahead of the main draw. If she can keep up that level, she should advance here.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
Ilemona:
Qinwen Zheng is a two-time quarterfinalist here and fought through qualifying this year after coming back from elbow surgery. Kristina Liutova also came through qualifying and will be looking to make the most of her opportunity but Zheng’s experience at this level will likely be the difference maker.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
Anna Kalinskaya vs Anna Blinkova
Nurein:
Given Kalinskaya’s fitness troubles (retired in Cincinnati), this could be a tricky match. Blinkova can turn matches physical and extend rallies. This has upset potential.
Prediction: Blinkova in 3
Manuel:
Kalinskaya hasn’t been having a particularly good hard court swing, but she is clearly the better player of the two and should advance here.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
Ilemona:
Anna Kalinskaya has established herself as a top-25 player with consistent results across all surfaces this season. Anna Blinkova has spent much of the year outside the top 100 and will need to find her best tennis to trouble a player in good form. This is their first meeting, and Kalinskaya’s recent activity gives her the practical edge.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
Aoi Ito vs Oksana Selekhmeteva
Nurein:
Selekhmeteva received some praise from Jessica Pegula after their match at this year’s Australian Open. The Russian hasn’t quite replicated her third-round finish in Melbourne, but she has a winnable opening match in New York. Ito is extremely disciplined and can force opponents to hit one more shot, but Selekhmeteva’s offense should be the difference.
Prediction: Selekhmeteva in 3
Manuel:
Ito won a very close match when the pair faced in Canada last month, and a similarly close match should be expected here, with the winner coming down to execution on the biggest points.
Prediction: Ito in 3
Ilemona:
Aoi Ito is making her main-draw debut here after battling back from a back injury that dropped her ranking significantly. Oksana Selekhmeteva reached the semifinals of a WTA 125 event in Philadelphia recently and has been finding her rhythm on hard courts. This first meeting could be close if Ito shakes off any nerves.
Prediction: Selekhmeteva in 3
Karolina Muchova vs Sinja Kraus
Nurein:
This will be Muchova’s first singles match since the Wimbledon final. But she quickly regained her range in mixed doubles, where she won her first Major title. The timing is there and I’m not too concerned with the long layoff.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Manuel:
Muchova hasn’t played a singles match since her heartbreaking loss in the Wimbledon final so it is very unclear what level she will show here at the US Open. In any case, she should be able to at least navigate this first round.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Ilemona:
Karolina Muchova has reached the quarterfinals or better in her last three appearances here and has one of the most complete games in the draw. Sinja Kraus has had most of her success on clay and is still searching for her first main-draw win at this tournament. This is their first meeting, and Muchova’s hard-court record speaks for itself.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports