After weeks of build-up, the US Open will get underway on Sunday with 18 girls’s singles matches on the slate on day one. As all the time, we right here at LWOT might be providing our predictions for each match, together with Zhang Shuai vs Leylah Fernandez, Emma Navarro vs Lois Boisson, Venus Williams vs Sofia Kenin, and Kamila Rakhimova vs Barbora Krejcikova. However who will attain the second spherical in New York?
US Open Day 1 Predictions
Jessica Pegula vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse
Ilemona: Jessica Pegula is taking part in on dwelling soil because the third seed and is available in off a robust Cincinnati ultimate run, so her hardcourt sport is dialed in. Elena-Gabriela Ruse has had success at this match earlier than however has been ranked exterior the highest 100 for a lot of the season and lacks current match play at this stage. The American’s consistency from the baseline and superior type this summer season make her a troublesome first-round project.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Nurein: It is a powerful opener for Jessica Pegula who is without doubt one of the main contenders for the title. Elena-Gabriela Ruse has troubled some huge names on onerous courts together with her aggressive sport. However with Pegula absolutely recharged after a busy summer season, I fancy her to progress unscathed.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Jim: Pegula nonetheless has loads to do on the subject of proving that she is a real menace to win a Main, however the truth that she is even within the dialog is a mirrored image of how successfully she usually handles this kind of project. It will not be totally simple for the American, however she ought to advance comfortably sufficient.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Talia Gibson vs Donna Vekic
Ilemona: Donna Vekic has the expertise of a number of Grand Slam quarterfinals and a sport constructed for onerous courts, although she has been up and down in 2026. Talia Gibson has had a breakthrough season, cracking the highest 60 and displaying she belongs at this stage, however it is a huge step up in school. If Donna’s serve is clicking, she will be able to management the tempo, however Talia’s velocity may make this nearer than the rankings recommend.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Nurein: Gibson has been one of many standout gamers on onerous courts this season and recorded some spectacular outcomes throughout the Sunshine Swing. Vekic is winless since successful the title at Queen’s. If her confidence stays shaky, the Australian can expose that.
Prediction: Gibson in 3
Jim: Vekic has by no means fairly managed to search out the kind of consistency that may have elevated her into the higher echelons of the sport, however her sport has a whole lot of upside all the identical. Gibson is an efficient sufficient participant to problem her, however the Croatian ought to have sufficient to advance – ought to being the operative phrase.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Renata Zarazua vs Polina Iatcenko
Ilemona: Renata Zarazua has been a stable presence on tour with good clay-court outcomes, whereas Polina Iatcenko is a rising Russian qualifier who has been climbing the rankings steadily. That is their first assembly, and it pits Zarazua’s expertise in opposition to Iatcenko’s youthful aggression. The Russian’s current hardcourt type may give her a slight edge in what ought to be a aggressive opener.
Prediction: Iatcenko in 3
Nurein: Polina Iatcenko earned a formidable win over Lucia Bronzetti in qualifying. However Renata Zarazua poses a really completely different problem on this matchup together with her artful sport which troubled Clara Tauson in Monterrey.
Prediction: Zarazua in 2
Jim: This might in all probability go both approach, and is a big alternative for each. However Zarazua’s expertise ought to stand her in good stead right here. She has reached the US Open second spherical in back-to-back seasons and has usually performed stable tennis, making herself onerous to beat. She may simply have the ability to grind the qualifier down.
Prediction: Zarazua in 3
Elina Svitolina vs Solana Sierra
Ilemona: Elina Svitolina has been a constant menace on onerous courts all through 2026, utilizing her defensive expertise to frustrate opponents. Solana Sierra is a younger Argentine who precipitated a stir by upsetting Jasmine Paolini at Roland Garros, however she has restricted expertise on the US Open. The Ukrainian’s expertise and tactical nous ought to assist her navigate any early nerves in opposition to a harmful however unproven opponent.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Nurein: Elina Svitolina has come near reaching her first Grand Slam ultimate lately, together with on the US Open. May this be her yr? She’ll be hoping to enhance on final yr’s surprising opening spherical exit on the US Open. Solana Sierra almost knocked out Coco Gauff in her final Main match and shouldn’t be underestimated. Svitolina may have to dig deep right here.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
Jim: Svitolina in all probability isn’t a menace to win the US Open title over the subsequent fortnight, however the Ukrainian ought to at the least make the second week. Sierra’s time will possible come, however she continues to be at her greatest on the clay and that is in all probability a problem too far for the Argentine.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Foremost photograph credit score: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Photographs
