We've got three picks from the US Open second round to get into today, and there are some genuinely interesting matchups here. Osaka back at Flushing Meadows is always a story, and Cirstea vs Parry has more to it than the rankings suggest.
WTA US Open Predictions
Diane Parry vs Sorana Cirstea
Head-to-head: First meeting
Parry has been one of the quiet movers on tour this year and the ranking of 31 is no fluke, but Cirstea on hard courts is a genuinely dangerous player and has had some big results at Slams over the years. The hard, fast conditions at Flushing tend to suit Cirstea's flat, direct hitting and Parry's game is more suited to slower surfaces where she can construct points gradually.
That said, this one could easily go three sets. Parry is not going to roll over, and Cirstea has a habit of making things complicated for herself when she's in control. First meetings at Slams are always a little unpredictable.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Naomi Osaka vs Katerina Siniakova
Head-to-head: Osaka 2-1 Siniakova
Osaka at the US Open is a different beast entirely. She's won this title twice and the crowd at Arthur Ashe gets behind her in a way that genuinely seems to lift her game, and Siniakova, for all her doubles brilliance, hasn't done much of note in singles for a while. Osaka leads the head-to-head 2-1 and the quality gap in singles is pretty clear right now.
But Osaka hasn't been the most consistent player since returning from maternity leave, and Siniakova, a capable enough ball-striker on her day, is solid enough to make it messy if Osaka has an off day. I think Osaka gets through it, though not without a scare somewhere along the way.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
Lilli Tagger vs Amanda Anisimova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Anisimova is at her best on hard courts and has the kind of flat, aggressive baseline game that can dismantle players ranked well above her, let alone a first-time Slam second-rounder. Tagger getting this far is a nice story, but Anisimova at Flushing is a completely different challenge to anything she's faced this week. Hard to see this being competitive at all.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © PI via ZUMA Press Wire