The U.S. Open is about to begin and with it come plenty of thrilling matchups. But first things first, the players have to get past the first round of the tournament before they could dream of winning the year’s final Grand Slam.
Two of the toughest women’s singles players in the game face some interesting matchups in the first round. Former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka faces the hard-hitting Lucie Hradecka in the first round, while world No. 2 Simona Halep takes on Marina Erakovic. Can the two favorites make quick work of their opponents to remain fresh for a deep tournament run?
Victoria Azarenka may be Serena Williams’ biggest challenge in the U.S. Open. Azarenka met Williams in the past two Grand Slams, losing in three sets in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon and the third round of Roland Garros.
[sc:Other240banner ]Azarenka is also the only one to win sets against Williams in the past three U.S. Opens, both in the finals (2013 and 2012). But before the Belarusian even thinks about a potential matchup with the world No. 1, she’ll need to get past Lucie Hradecka first.
Hradecka is a strong server, winning 68.5 percent of her service games with 173 total aces this year. Her strong serve should be a challenge for most of the women she faces. But Azarenka won’t be easy to beat; she’s a very good return player, winning 46.3 percent of her receiving games this year, including converting about half of her break point attempts.
Azarenka leads the head-to-head matchup against Hradecka, 3-0.
Writer’s Prediction
Azarenka (-800) steamrolls Hradecka in a straight sets victory.
Simona Halep has never reached the quarterfinal of the U.S. Open in her career. She’s not exactly having the best year either with a 5-3 record in the Grand Slams this season. But Halep has been amazing in the leadup to Flushing Meadows, reaching the finals of the Toronto and Cincinnati Opens (both on hard surfaces).
Halep is one of the more well-rounded players on tour, possessing power (she has 106 aces this year) and a solid return game (she’s won 47.9 percent of return games). She should at least be able to get past the first round of the U.S. Open this year, especially going against Marina Erakovic.
An Australian-born Croatian, Erakovic has lost in the first round of the past three Grand Slams this season. She also failed to get past the qualifying round of the Cincinnati Open, falling to 82nd-ranked Kurumi Nara in straight sets.
Writer’s Prediction
Halep (-1,500) makes short work of Erakovic for the straight sets victory.
