Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka headlines the women’s schedule on day 1 but there are a host of major winners in action including Raducanu, Ostapenko, Vondrousova and Azarenka. The locals will also have plenty to cheer on with the duo of Pegula and Navarro to lead the way for the American contingent.
This could turn out to be a tricky first-up assignment than expected for Sabalenka. Their only prior meeting on tour came on grass in Berlin earlier this year with the world number 1 posting a 6-2 7-6 victory. Masarova was up a break multiple times in the second set of that match and has notably made it through to the 2nd Round in her last two appearances at the US Open. The Over has hit in Sabalenka’s opening match at each of the last three tournaments and with Masarova given no chance, we only need the underdog to win a handful of games.
Bet: Over 17.5 games ($2.10)
Went awfully close to winning that elusive major here last year (lost to Sabalenka in final) but has struggled in the last few months. Has lost 4 of her last 6 matches which includes and opening round loss at Wimbledon to Cocciaretto. Fernandez, Sevastova and Linette have accounted for her since but there will be no upset here. Not only does Sherif play her best tennis on clay, but it is as if she will go to extreme lengths not to play on hard courts. She’d prefer to play an ITF level event on clay than a WTA tournament on a hard court. The reason why… she cannot adjust her game to deal with the pace. Sherif has lost 17 of her last 18 competitive matches on this surface and has only made the trip to New York to collect her pay cheque.
Bet: Pegula -6.5 ($1.73)
Raducanu won the 2021 US Open in only her second Grand Slam appearance but has struggled ever since. The 4th round is her best result in 11 attempts since but our focus here is a first round match against Shibahara – a doubles specialist who has rarely made an impact in singles. Has come through the qualifiers here which is always a good sign but he only meeting against Raducanu barely lasted an hour. The Brit was a convincing 6-1 6-4 winner in Nottingham last year in a match where Shibahara won only 22% of 2nd serve points. Raducanu will break serve at will and just has to be semi-consistent on serve to dominate the contest.
Bet: Raducanu -5.5
As one of our value bets to win the tournament, we will certainly be backing Paolini throughout. She brings great form with her to the Big Apple after finishing runner-up to Swiatek in Cincinnati and will have no problems accounting for Aiava here. The Australian has struggled at the majors with just 1 Grand Slam match win to her name which sits alongside 6 first round losses. Managed to get through the qualifiers here with all three of her matches notably going the distance. Just making it into the main draw will feel like a win itself and she will not have the petrol left in the tank to match it with one of the fastest women/best athletes on tour.
Bet: Under 17.5 games
Sabalenka v Masarova: Over 17.5 games ($2.10)
Pegula v Sherif: Pegula -6.5 ($1.73)
Raducanu v Shibahara: Raducanu -5.5
Aiava v Paolini: Under 17.5 games
Eala v Tauson: Over 20.5 games ($1.80)
Navarro v Wang: Navarro -4.5 ($1.83)
Marino v Fernandez: Sets Fernandez 2-0
Sun v Osorio: Osorio WIN ($2.02)
Starodoubtseva v Blinkova: Over 21.5 games ($1.85)
Parrizas Diaz v P Kudermetova: Kudermetova WIN ($1.73)
Uchijima v Danilovic: Uchijima To Win A Set – YES
Kessler v Linette: Kessler WIN ($1.58)