A few picks from the US Open first round to get into today, with the world number one kicking things off and a couple of interesting wide-draw matches to round it out. Who do you think comes through the trickier ones?
WTA US Open Predictions
Aryna Sabalenka vs Maria Camila Osorio Serrano
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 2-0 Osorio Serrano
Sabalenka is the reigning champion here and comes in as the clear favorite, and both previous meetings, neither of which went to three sets, have gone her way without much drama. Osorio Serrano is a fighter and can be dangerous on a good day, but Flushing Meadows hard courts are about as well-suited to Sabalenka's game as any surface gets, and she's been ruthless here over the past two years.
Hard to see this going anywhere other than a comfortable straight-sets win for Sabalenka.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Daria Snigur vs Diana Shnaider
Head-to-head: First meeting
Shnaider has been one of the more exciting young players on tour this season and comes in ranked 16th, but Snigur is no pushover and has had some solid results on hard courts in 2024. First meetings can go either way and Snigur's ranking doesn't quite reflect how competitive she can be on this surface.
I think this goes the distance, with Snigur finding enough to edge through in three, all things considered.
Prediction: Snigur in 3
Sara Bejlek vs Cristina Bucsa
Head-to-head: First meeting
Bucsa has been more of a clay-court performer throughout her career, and the hard courts at the Open don't play to her strengths the same way. That said, Bejlek is ranked higher for a reason and has looked comfortable at this level on hard courts, and I feel like the surface difference gives her a meaningful edge here even without any prior meetings to draw from.
Prediction: Bejlek in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © AFP7 via ZUMA Wire