By Tony Fairbairn
- Jelena Ostapenko [10] v Naomi Osaka
- Stefanos Tsitsipas [11] v Thanasi Kokkinakis
- Jessica Pegula [6] v Shelby Rogers
NEW YORK, USA – Former US Open champion and world number one Naomi Osaka faces a blockbuster opening round contest against Jelena Ostapenko on day two of the final Grand Slam of the season.
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Jelena Ostapenko [10] v Naomi Osaka H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jelena Ostapenko [10] v Naomi Osaka | H2H: Osaka leads 1-0 |
| US Open 2024 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $100,000 |
| Second on Louis Armstrong Stadium (17:30 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
It’s been a consistent season for Jelena Ostapenko with the Latvian starting to make her presence known in the world’s top ten. The former Roland Garros champion has produced some sensational results and managed to be consistent at the latter stages of tournaments in spite of her suspect fashion decisions. However a quarter-final exit at Wimbledon has rocked Ostapenko’s momentum with only one win in her last three tournaments with a first round exit at the Olympics being a big blow. Now Ostapenko will aim to get back on track and produce another deep run at a Grand Slam.
An extremely tough opening round awaits Ostapenko in the form of two-time former champion Naomi Osaka. Osaka is back at the US Open and in a much better mental mindset than her last outing in New York when she lost to Danielle Collins in the first round. Osaka’s performances on both clay and grass have shown that the former world number one is back in form and will be a dangerous player to face on her favourite surface. However Osaka’s build-up to the US Open has been far from ideal and will now hope that past memories from the US Open will help her elevate her game to new heights as she seeks a third title in New York.
Ostapenko will use the forehand to dictate play from the baseline as she will be aggressive on return and put pressure on Osaka’s second serve. Meanwhile Osaka will aim to put a high amount of first serves as she will aim to expose Ostapenko’s defensive skills by taking the ball early on the backhand side. Neither player are in form but Osaka should be highly motivated for her return to the US Open and she will enter this match as slight favourite in a blockbuster opening round.
Prediction: Osaka in three sets.
Stefanos Tsitsipas [11] v Thanasi Kokkinakis H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Stefanos Tsitsipas [11] v Thanasi Kokkinakis | H2H: Tsitsipas leads 1-0 |
| US Open 2024 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $100,000 |
| First on Grandstand (16:00 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
After missing out on a medal match at the Olympics, family drama has dominated Stefanos Tsitsipas’ tennis form with the Greek sacking his father as coach. Two disappointing results for Tsitsipas has seen the world number 11 enter the final Grand Slam of the season with a lack of confidence as well as no coach. However a lack of pressure for Tsitsipas may play into his hands as he will be more than happy to go under the radar over the next fortnight which may make him play better as he searches for a maiden Grand Slam title.
A tricky opening test awaits as the streaky Thanasi Kokkinakis is first up for the former Australian Open finalist. Kokkinakis has the ability to test any player on their day but a lack of consistency has been telling for the Australian as he will be disappointed with a couple of close defeats recently. The Australian has also had to deal with a couple of injury setbacks in recent weeks as Kokkinakis will hope that he can keep his ranking inside the world’s top 100 before January’s Australian Open.
Tsitsipas will aim to be smart on serve as he will look to force erratic errors from Kokkinakis’ returning. Meanwhile Kokkinakis will test Tsitsipas’ baseline game as the Australian will hope to expose Tsitsipas’ lack of confidence. This will be a tough test for Tsitsipas but the longer format should play into his hands as he will aim to survive the latest examination of his vulnerability and character.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in five sets.
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Jessica Pegula [6] v Shelby Rogers H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jessica Pegula [6] v Shelby Rogers | H2H: First Meeting |
| US Open 2024 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $100,000 |
| Fourth on Arthur Ashe Stadium (02:30 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
After a turbulent season with coaching changes and a lack of fitness, it has been a sensational US Open build-up for Jessica Pegula. The American is dreaming of a Grand Slam title and why not? Pegula comes into the last Grand Slam of the season having won the title in Toronto before following that up with a run to the Cincinnati final. The American will now aim to break new ground at a Grand Slam having never made the semi-final stage before.
Firstly Pegula will have to think about compatriot Shelby Rogers, who is playing the last ever tournament of her career. Rogers has had an incredible career having reached a high of 30 in the world while making a habit of causing upsets at big events. However recent form has suggested that Rogers’ glory days are over and now the American has confirmed that she will be ending her career in New York. However one last big upset would be fitting for Rogers and she will look to achieve that with the whole world watching.
Pegula will continue to be efficient on serve as she will use depth to force the shorter ball from Rogers in order to finish points off at the net. Meanwhile Rogers will look to take the ball as early as possible in order to rush Pegula’s defensive skills. This should be a big early test for Pegula but the sixth seed should have enough quality in order to end the determined career of Rogers.
Prediction: Pegula in three sets.
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