US Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions Including Venus Williams vs Karolina Muchova

Day 2 of the US Open will see 24 women’s first-round matches. Who will advance to Round 2 and who will be sent home early? As always, our writer share their thoughts on all of the matches. We split the 24 matches between six articles. The other articles feature Elina Svitolina vs Anna Bondar, Madison Keys vs Renata Zarazua, Mirra Andreeva vs Alycia Parks, Petra Kvitova vs Diane Parry, and Victoria Mboko vs Barbora Krejcikova. Predicting these matches are Jim Smith, Damian Kust, and Jordan Reynolds. Who do you think will advance?

US Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions

Elise Mertens vs Kristie Ahn

Jim:
Elise Mertens should win this match and almost certainly will. The Belgian has struggled to really make an impact at the Slams, but she also very rarely loses in the early rounds, and Ahn probably isn’t the player to knock Mertens out of a rhythm.
Prediction: Mertens in 2

Damian:
Kalamazoo champion Ahn is an unknown quantity at this level, but has been pretty solid in pro appearances this year with a 21-8 record in various American ITF events. This is going to be a big jump and Mertens once had that incredible streak in the first two rounds of Slams–she’s simply a bit too consistent in this setting.
Prediction: Mertens in 2

Jordan:
This should be an ideal match for Mertens to get over losing to Diana Shnaider in Monterrey after having five match points. 18-year-old wild card Ahn will play her first match at Grand Slam level. The experienced Mertens, who has a very good record in the opening round at majors, starts an overwhelming favorite.
Prediction: Mertens in 2

Marie Bouzkova vs Elsa Jacquemot

Jim:
Marie Bouzkova, at her best, is a force to be reckoned with on North American hard courts. She has not quite kicked on as she would have hoped, but if she can play her best tennis or anything close to it, she should have the beating of Elsa Jacquemot.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3

Damian:
The form is good for Bouzkova right now and she’s been quite solid at the US Open the last few years, getting the wins she was expected to. Provided that retirement in Monterrey wasn’t anything deadly serious, she’ll probably be her usual reliable self and find a way to defeat Jacquemot here.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 2

Jordan:
Hopefully, Bouzkova is fully fit after retiring from her semifinal in Monterrey on Saturday. That seemed precautionary, and the Czech’s consistency will likely be too good for Jacquemot if she has no physical issues.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 2

Liudmila Samsonova vs Yuan Yue

Jim:
Liudmila Samsonova’s hard-hitting style should be well-suited to the conditions in New York. The Russian will likely be out-gunned by the very best, but with the greatest of due respect, Yuan Yue is not in that category. Samsonova should advance here.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2

Damian:
Samsonova has been performing pretty consistently at the US Open the last few years, reaching the third or fourth round in the few most recent editions. No reason to think the Russian can’t do it again here, and she should keep the Grand Slam momentum going by defeating Yuan after reaching Wimbledon quarterfinals last month.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2

Jordan:
Samsonova, who had a tendency to underperform at Grand Slams until her quarterfinal run at Wimbledon, can expect a tough challenge against Yuan. The Chinese player usually performs best on hard courts and will not be intimidated by Samsonova’a power. The 17th seed may need a third set to prevail.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3

Venus Williams vs Karolina Muchova

Jim:
This will likely be an emotional occasion for Venus Williams on what is almost certainly her last appearance at the US Open. But it is hard to see any outcome other than a win for Karolina Muchova. The Czech continues to struggle to stay healthy, but when she is fit (or nearly fit) she is an elite operator and, at this stage, Williams simply isn’t.
Prediction: Muchova in 2

Damian:
What a matchup. Williams showed in Washington she can still produce flashes of quality, but Muchova reached the semifinals in both previous editions. Especially with a set of skills that’s so versatile, it’s probably not possible for the Czech to lose this in the long run if she’s healthy (note that for her it’s a big if).
Prediction: Muchova in 2

Jordan:
Muchova, who lost to Americans in the 2023 and 2024 US Open semifinals, will need to handle a partisan home crowd. However, this is not a good matchup for the 45-year-old Williams. Muchova’s ability to use the slice and drop shot will get the tennis legend running and bending in different directions throughout the contest.
Prediction: Muchova in 2