US Open qualifying gets underway and we've got three picks from the first round to preview. No weather data for Flushing Meadows today, but it's hard courts and high stakes, with a main draw spot at the end of the road for whoever survives.
WTA US Open Qualifying Predictions
Polina Kudermetova vs Linda Fruhvirtova
Head-to-head: Kudermetova 1-0 Fruhvirtova
Fruhvirtova had a lot of hype around her a couple of years ago, but at 19 she's still sitting at 179 in the world and the ranking has been drifting in the wrong direction. Kudermetova is the more experienced player at this level and already holds the only meeting between them. Hard courts suit her direct, flat-hitting game well and qualifying is exactly the kind of grind she knows how to handle.
I think this goes three sets because Fruhvirtova won't just hand it over, but Kudermetova gets through.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Dalma Galfi vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Head-to-head: Galfi 1-1 Sasnovich
Dead level on paper, but Sasnovich is the better hard-court player of the two and her ranking, while modest, reflects a steadier run of results over the past year. Galfi tends to be more dangerous on clay, and this surface probably tilts things against her. Sasnovich keeps the ball deep and makes very few unforced errors, which makes her tough to beat in best-of-three qualifying matches where consistency wins out.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
Kristina Liutova vs Tatiana Prozorova
Head-to-head: First meeting
These two haven't crossed paths before, but Liutova comes in ranked 37 spots higher and has been the more active player on the hard-court swing. Prozorova isn't someone who pops up with big results on this surface, and I feel like the ranking gap tells the real story here. That said, Liutova should be able to control this one from the baseline and close it out, all things considered, though three sets is probably the safer call.
Prediction: Liutova in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © PI via ZUMA Press Wire