Serena Williams moved to within six victories of a historic calendar-year slam with a resounding win over Vitalia Diatchenko in the first round of the US Open on Monday. Williams will look to continue her incredible form later today when she takes on the big-hitting Kiki Bertens in the featured afternoon match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Read on below for a preview of this intriguing second-round matchup. To make it worth your while, we also broke down the All-American clash between Venus Williams and Irina Falconi. You can also check out the men’s side of the draw with our previews of Nadal vs. Schwartzman and Raonic vs. Verdasco.
[sc:TennisArticles ]2015 US Open Women’s Singles Second Round Previews
Serena Williams vs. Kiki Bertens
When: Thursday, September 2, 3:05 PM ET
Line: Serena Williams (-5,000) vs. Kiki Bertens (+2,000) – view all US Open Women’s Singles lines
Serena Williams barged into the second round of the US Open with a straightforward 6-0, 2-0 victory over Vitalia Diatchenko on Monday. The world no. 1 overpowered the Russian, winning eight straight games before her opponent limped off in retirement with a foot injury. To illustrate Williams’ dominance, the American won 32 of the 37 points played in this match.
[sc:Other240banner ]Next up for the mighty Williams is a round-of-64 showdown with Kiki Bertens. The Dutchwoman is through to the second round after beating Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. The world no. 1 has never faced the Dutch player before. The American will have no problem beating Bertens, though, especially if she can continue her strong service play. She leads the WTA Tour in first serve points won this season with an incredible 74.8 percent clip. Williams won 93 percent of her first serve points against Diatchenko in the opening round.
For Bertens to record a major shock later today, she needs to improve on her service game, particularly her first serve. She converted just 62 percent (45-of-73) of her first serves against Lucic-Baroni with Bertens winning just 28 of her 45 first serve points. That simply won’t do against the top-seeded Williams, who’s playing the best tennis of her life right now.
Williams is 9-1 in her last 10 matches. Bertens, on the other hand, is 7-12 in WTA Tour main-draw matches this year.
Writer’s Prediction
Williams (-5,000) destroys Bertens in straight sets.
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Venus Williams vs. Irina Falconi
When: Thursday, September 2, 7:05 PM ET
Line: Venus Williams (-360) vs. Irina Falconi (+280) – view all US Open Women’s Singles lines
Two-time champion Venus Williams survived a major scare on Monday, edging past Monica Puig to advance to the second round of the 2015 US Open. Williams needed two hours and 40 minutes to defeat the Puerto Rican, 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-3. The victory sets up a round-of-64 showdown against compatriot Irina Falconi, who beat wild-card Samantha Crawford, 6-4, 6-2 on Monday.
For Williams to pull off the victory later tonight, she needs to improve on her erratic play. The American landed just 61 percent of her first serves against Puig and committed a whopping 44 unforced errors to go along with six double faults. That will be music to the ears of Falconi, who will be meeting Williams for the first time in her career.
Falconi, who won 67 percent of her first serve points against Crawford, is 5-5 in her last 10 outings. Williams, on the other hand, has also won five of her last 10 matches.
Writer’s Prediction
Williams (-360) wins in straight sets.
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