The 2024 US Open kicks off with an action-packed Day 1, featuring 32 women’s first-round matches. The excitement is palpable as tennis enthusiasts gear up for a thrilling start to the final Grand Slam of the year. As always, the experts at LWOT are ready to share their insights and predictions for each matchup. These 32 matches are spread across eight different articles, each offering an in-depth look at various encounters.
In addition to this article, other matchups analyzed include Aryna Sabalenka vs. Priscilla Hon, Madison Keys vs. Katerina Siniakova, Emma Navarro vs. Anna Blinkova, Coco Gauff vs. Varvara Gracheva, Elina Svitolina vs. Maria Lourdes Carle, Victoria Azarenka vs. Yuliia Starodubtseva, and Maria Sakkari vs. Yafan Wang. Our predictions team, featuring Jordan Reynolds, Tope Oke, and Yesh Ginsburg, has weighed in on who they believe will advance in these intense first-round battles.
Let’s dive into the predictions for some of the exciting matches slated for Day 1 of the US Open.
Lulu Sun vs. Lucia Bronzetti
Jordan’s Take:
Lulu Sun has been in excellent form, reaching her first WTA Tour final in Monterrey just before the US Open. However, the quick turnaround might pose a significant challenge as she takes on Lucia Bronzetti in New York. If Bronzetti can find her rhythm, she might exploit Sun’s potential fatigue.
Prediction: Bronzetti in 2
Tope’s Take:
Despite the physical and emotional toll of her recent loss to Linda Noskova in the Monterrey final, Sun’s overall form suggests she still has enough in the tank to overcome Lucia Bronzetti, whom she defeated comfortably just two weeks ago.
Prediction: Sun in 2
Yesh’s Take:
Sun is riding a wave of momentum, playing some of the best tennis of her career. The only concern is whether fatigue might catch up with her. Nonetheless, she should be able to pull through in this match.
Prediction: Sun in 2
Dayana Yastremska vs. Jule Niemeier
Jordan’s Take:
Yastremska’s season has been inconsistent since her semifinal run at the Australian Open earlier in the year. Similarly, Niemeier has struggled with consistency, making this a difficult match to predict. I’ll back Yastremska’s powerful game, but it’s a tentative choice.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3
Tope’s Take:
This match pits two players in poor form against each other. Yastremska’s pedigree on hard courts, particularly her impressive run in Melbourne, gives her the edge over Niemeier, who hasn’t tasted victory since Wimbledon.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Yesh’s Take:
Yastremska, despite her ups and downs this season, is the better player in this matchup. Her higher level of talent should see her through against Niemeier, and I don’t expect it to be too close.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Taylor Townsend vs. Martina Trevisan
Jordan’s Take:
Taylor Townsend has been playing some of the best tennis of her career, with strong showings in Toronto and Cincinnati. She comes into the US Open as the favorite against Trevisan, who is more comfortable on clay. Townsend’s powerful serve should be a decisive factor.
Prediction: Townsend in 2
Tope’s Take:
Although Martina Trevisan got the better of Townsend in their previous encounter a year ago, the dynamics have changed. Townsend’s recent success on North American hard courts should propel her to victory in this match.
Prediction: Townsend in 3
Yesh’s Take:
Townsend has faced her share of struggles with the USTA, which impacted her career trajectory. Now, with those challenges behind her, she’s finding her rhythm and could be on the brink of realizing her full potential. This match could be a stepping stone.
Prediction: Townsend in 2
Amanda Anisimova vs. Qinwen Zheng
Jordan’s Take:
If Amanda Anisimova can reach the level of play that took her to the National Bank Open final, she will be a formidable opponent for anyone in the draw. However, consistency has been an issue throughout her career. Zheng’s powerful serve and ability to mix her game up with heavy spin could be enough to disrupt Anisimova and secure a win.
Prediction: Zheng in 3
Tope’s Take:
Rejuvenated and determined, Amanda Anisimova came close to winning her first ATP title above the 250 level before losing to Jessica Pegula. Although this will be her first appearance at the US Open in two years, Anisimova’s recent form, which includes victories over top players like Sabalenka, Navarro, and Kasatkina, suggests she has the firepower to overcome Zheng, especially with the home crowd on her side.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Yesh’s Take:
Anisimova has the potential to be a World No. 1, but injuries and mental struggles have held her back. A victory over the recently-crowned Gold Medalist Zheng would be a statement that she’s back on track. I believe she’ll make that statement.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
These predictions for the first day of the US Open highlight the excitement and unpredictability that comes with the early rounds of a Grand Slam. Each of these matches presents a unique set of challenges for the players involved, and the results will set the tone for the rest of the tournament. As the competition unfolds, we’ll see which players can rise to the occasion and make deep runs in the final major of the year. Stay tuned for more insights and analysis as the US Open progresses.