Damien Kayat previews Gael Monfils vs Taro Daniel, Dominic Thiem vs Ben Shelton and Christopher Eubanks vs Benjamin Bonzi in selected 1st and 2nd round matches of the US Open Men’s championships on the 30th of August 2023.
2023 WTA Tour
Grand Slam Tennis
US Open Women’s Championships
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, New York, USA (Outdoor Hardcourt)
Selected Second Round Matches -30th August
Victoria Azarenka 2/7 | Zhu Lin 13/5
Azarenka’s straight-sets demolition of Fiona Ferro was arguably one of the easiest first-round bankers out there. The 34-year-old Belarusian has really struggled after an encouraging start to the season.
She reached the quarterfinals in Adelaide before a stunning semi-final run at the Aussie Open. She has failed to reach a single quarterfinal since. Still, the three-time Flushing Meadows finalist has the ability to turn it on when it comes to the big stage (her 2020 run to the final here being a prime example of this).
She lost to Svitolina in an absolutely epic 4th round match at Wimbledon and she will be keen to once again impress in New York. Zhu Lin has enjoyed a steady breakthrough year, reaching the 4th round of a Slam for the first time in Melbourne before claiming her maiden title at the Hua Hin Championships.
She also arrived in great form, losing to Ekaterina Alexandrova in the semi-finals in Cleveland. She eased past Sherif in her opening match and she will pose a real threat to Azarenka. Her work-rate and deep forehand will push the Belarusian and test her mobility.
This was evident when they squared off in their first meeting at this year’s Aussie Open. Azarenka was forced to come back from a set down against the industrious Lin. And I think we may be in for a very similar encounter.
Verdict: Azarenka to win in three sets
Danielle Collins 46/100 | Elise Mertens 17/10
A divisive figure, Danielle Collins’ on-court histrionics tend to make her somewhat unappealing to your general audience (highlighted by her recent spat with Maria Sakkari). But New York is an arena that almost invites braggadocio and she appears confident here.
She reached the 4th round here last season and she does possess a proud Grand Slam pedigree. She memorably reached the final of the Aussie Open last year, using her massive power to overwhelm opponents from the baseline. Her radar has been off this year but a recent quarterfinal run in Montreal showed her class.
She just blew Fruhvirtova off the court and she looks a match for anyone. A metronomic hardcourt operator, Elise Mertens is a defensive baseliner and who will to absorb Collins’ power and force her into errors. A former two-time US Open quarterfinalist, the Belgian has enjoyed more success on the doubles circuit in recent seasons.
Still, she is a doughty competitor who could frustrate an impatient Collins. But Collins has won their last three matches (including a straight-sets victory in in Qatar this year).
Verdict: Collins to win in straight-sets
Magda Linette 31/20 vs Jennifer Brady 1/2
31-year-old Pole Magda Linette has enjoyed a new lease on life over the past year, evolving from an ultra-defensive baseliner into a far more proactive player. S
he reached a final in Chennai towards the end of last year but few could have envisaged her sparkling run to this year’s Aussie Open semi-final. She followed that up with a maiden WTA 1000 round of 16 run in Miami but her form has nosedived since then.
But a devastating first-round win over Sasnovich will have done her confidence the world of good. Hard-hitting American Jennifer Brady was fast developing into a Grand Slam demon, reaching the semi-final here in 2020 before a run to the Aussie Open final in 2021. But she suffered an awful knee injury in the latter parts of 2021 that ruled her out for two years.
She has been playing under protected status in recent weeks (fiercely pushing Rybakina to three sets in Montreal). But she is still a work in progress. She looked decent in her first-round victory over Birrell and will look to draw confidence from the highly partisan crowd.
Brady has a commanding head-to-head advantage over Linette and I think she could destroy the Pole. Her flat, aggressive hitting style makes her a perfect fit for these surfaces and Linette will struggle to contain her.
Verdict: Brady to win in straight-sets
