A few first-round picks from the US Open to get into today, with some interesting matchups across the draw. We've got a home crowd favorite, a potential upset, and what looks like a tricky opener for one of the seeds. Let's get into it.
WTA US Open Predictions
Iva Jovic vs Magdalena Frech
Head-to-head: First meeting
Jovic has had a remarkable rise to get to 14 in the world at just 19, and Flushing is basically her home slam given she's American and the crowd tends to get behind her. Frech is a solid clay courter but hard courts have always been more of a mixed bag for her, and this is a tough draw to open with.
I think Jovic's ball striking and pace on this surface is a real problem for Frech and the crowd factor only adds to it. That said, Frech is a fighter and won't go away quietly, so expect this one to go the distance.
Prediction: Jovic in 3
Zeynep Sonmez vs Cori Gauff
Head-to-head: First meeting
Gauff is the defending champion here and playing in front of her home crowd, and Sonmez at 52 in the world just doesn't have the weapons to trouble her on this surface. Hard to see this being competitive at all. Gauff's return game alone should make this uncomfortable from the first game, and she's become so good at not panicking when things get a little tight.
Gauff wins this comfortably.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Anastasia Potapova vs Tereza Valentova
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is the interesting one. Potapova is the higher-ranked player and has more experience at this level, but Valentova has been on a real run lately and her aggressive, flat ball-striking suits hard courts well. Potapova can be streaky and inconsistent, and on a given day she's beatable by players ranked well below her.
I feel like Valentova's form coming in makes this closer than the ranking gap suggests and she'll have enough to get through in three sets, all things considered.
Prediction: Valentova in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
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