The US Open first round is underway and we've got three picks from today's schedule to break down. Pegula's home slam, a tricky opener for Alexandrova, and what looks like a genuinely unpredictable match between Zhang and Fernandez. Let's get into it.
WTA US Open Predictions
Jessica Pegula vs Elena Gabriela Ruse
Head-to-head: First meeting
Pegula is one of the most consistent players on the hard court and playing in front of a home crowd at Flushing Meadows, where she's made deep runs before. Ruse has had a decent season but she's ranked 63rd for a reason, and facing a top-3 player in a slam first round is a brutal draw.
That said, Ruse can be streaky and unpredictable on her best day, and Pegula hasn't always had the smoothest rides through early rounds at slams. I think this goes three sets, but Pegula's consistency from the baseline and her ability to stay calm in tight moments should be enough to get through here, all things considered.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Mccartney Kessler vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-head: Kessler 0-1 Alexandrova
Alexandrova is the higher-ranked player and the more experienced one on hard courts at this level. Kessler is a solid tour player but she's never really shown she can beat top-20 opponents consistently and Alexandrova's flat, aggressive ball-striking tends to cause problems for players who aren't comfortable under early pressure.
Hard to see this being competitive at all.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Shuai Zhang vs Leylah Annie Fernandez
Head-to-head: Zhang 0-1 Fernandez
This is the most interesting match of the three. Fernandez holds the only previous result between them, but Zhang at 53 in the world is playing some of the most solid tennis of her recent career and hard courts suit her game well. Fernandez has had a complicated last couple of seasons, flashing brilliance and then disappearing, and her ranking at 32 probably flatters her current form a little.
Fernandez's lefty serve and her ability to construct unusual angles, which have caused problems for far higher-ranked players, can give anyone problems, so I feel like this stays tight throughout. But Zhang's steadiness from the back of the court should be the difference over three sets.
Prediction: Zhang in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © PI via ZUMA Press Wire