Women’s Second Round Matches to Watch at the U.S. Open

by Doni1212

So I decided to calculate how accurate my predictions have been over these next two weeks. I will award myself three points if my prediction was correct and one point if I selected the right winner but the wrong number of sets. After my first round picks, my score is 13/18 or 72%. Hopefully I can get that percentage up over the next two weeks!

Caroline Wozniacki (1) vs. Arantxa Rus

Rus is the talented player who took out Kim Clijsters in the second round at the French Open and forced Maria Sharapova to three sets in Rome. I’m hoping she can back up her clay feats on hard court and I give her a chance here.

-Rus in 3.

Victoria Azarenka (4) vs. Gisela Dulko

This is an interesting match-up because these two met at the exact same stage at this event last year. Dulko was up an early break when Azarenka collapsed on the court after having issues with the heat and persistent migraines. As a result, Dulko was given the victory. Dulko has upset several big names at majors including Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2009 and Samantha Stosur at the French Open this year. Dulko has not had good results this summer so I believe that Azarenka will get the victory.

-Azarenka in 2

Ana Ivanovic (16)vs. Petra Cetkovska

Cetkovska has been having a wonderful summer after Wimbledon where she beat Ivanovic in two sets. Since then, she has scored wins over Agnieszka Radwanska, Marion Bartoli and Li Na at New Haven. She appears to be tired after her run in New Haven while Ivanovic is slowly finding her form again. I’m expecting Ivanovic to look for revenge here.

-Ivanovic in 2

Shahar Peer (23) vs. Sloane Stephens

Stephens is a young 18 year old American who just won her first Grand Slam match in her career. She battled hard in her last match and I think Peer is another player she can upset if she is not too tired.

-Stephens in 3

Lucie Safarova (27) vs. Madison Keys

Keys is the youngest player in the draw at 16 years old and is American too. She also won her first Grand Slam match in the previous round and will look to back that result up against the lefty Safarova. I think Safarova will have too much experience and game for the young American and will win the match.

-Safarova in 2

Marion Bartoli (8) vs. Christina McHale

Another young and talented American is McHale who has had a great summer beating Wozniacki in Cincinnati. Bartoli looked vulnerable in her last match but McHale is likely exhausted after playing many matches over five consecutive weeks and being pushed to three sets in her last match. For that reason, I give Bartoli the slight edge.

-Bartoli in 2

Sabine Lisicki (22) vs. Venus Williams

This is the feature match that everyone wants to see. The battle of the big servers! These two have played only twice with Lisicki winning a close match on clay and Williams easily winning the match on hard court. Although Williams has played very little this year, her record at Flushing Meadows speaks for itself as she has never lost a match before the fourth round.

-Williams in 2