Andreescu-Paolini? Raducanu-Kenin? A guide to the must watch women's first round matches at 2024 US Open
WTA
With the US Open upon us, the draw has been completed and the ties set with a lot of matches hopping off the canvas as being must watch. Especially in the WTA Draw.
Starting August 26 until September 8, the spectacle at Flushing Meadows has been unforgettable in recent years with a lot of the interesting first time winners featuring on our list. Most have not really furthered their careers since then but are still hot properties in the tennis world. including Emma Raducanu, Bianca Andreescu among others. Here are some of the must watch ties from the women's draw at the US Open.
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Bianca Andreescu v Jasmine Paolini
It seems to be a recurring nightmare for Andreescu since her return to the sport earlier this Summer. She keeps bumping into Jasmine Paolini and in particular keeps losing hard fought clashes.
In particular at Roland Garros earlier this summer where she looked good for the win potentially until the rain came. They were forced to play in it and Paolini prevailed thus ending Andreescu's comeback run.
Bianca Andreescu has been in poor form since losing last to Paolini but is known to love Flushing Meadows.
They also played at Wimbledon. What does that spell both times? A Paolini final where she lost to Iga Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova respectively. So if she wins here, is it another final to continue that run. Paolini has improved both times she has faced her too. She has aimed to dominate through aggression and use her forehand to perfection. She has done just that and dominated from the baseline. Something that Andreescu needs to wrangle.
Also the Canadian has been in pretty shocking form as of late losing early since suffering an injury at the Olympic Games which has derailed upward momentum. But truth betold, Paolini has not been at her best either. So an intriguing clash either way.
Naomi Osaka v Jelena Ostapenko
The next match on the radar could be special or utterly awful as Naomi Osaka faces off against Jelena Ostapenko. Afforded a wildcard into this tournament, Osaka unlike Cincinnati did not have to play qualifying.
Osaka is a two-time champion in 2018 and 2020. She hoped to peak for this tournament again and after some good results earlier in the summer, she has slightly dipped. She admitted earlier this week that she is struggling with her own body and facing the true aggressor in Ostapenko means that it likely won't be an easy ride.
But Osaka is still capable and Ostapenko takes similar risks on the court as Osaka making this match hard to predict and also one that will be on unforced error radar. It could either be a winner fest that will be captivating or behind the sofa viewing due to unforced errors akin to a horror move. But that perhaps makes it so captivating. Two former Grand Slam champions and big names in the sport with real aggression in their arsenal, get the popcorn ready.
Emma Raducanu v Sofia Kenin
A match that Jessica Pegula will certainly have all eyes on. She will face the winner if she sees off Shelby Rogers.
Emma Raducanu and Sofia Kenin will face off in a battle of the perceived one hit wonder Grand Slam champions who have both had a tough time of it since their marked rise up atop the sport in the early 2020's.
Raducanu's career has slightly fared better in that she just merely hasn't been playing as opposed to not reproducing the form. But this has frustrated a lot of tennis fans over the past six months since her return to the sport. At her own pace was her marked response a few months back. But for some, her discerning of playing qualifying has rubbed many up the wrong way.
Can Raducanu return to form against fellow perceived one hit wonder Kenin?
Especially given that she made her name in the sport through this route at the US Open and some people see it as arrogance that she has no right to have given that she has not won a title since the US Open. But the pressure cauldron always remains for Raducanu and backing that up will shut up a lot of the doubters.
Kenin has had some success at times since her 2020 Australian Open win. But has not returned to those heights. She has tried different routes including leaving her dad as a coach then going back. She has had good form at times to stave ranking drops. But none of it is sustained. She will revel though in a match-up with Raducanu and then showing Pegula she is still a player to be feared. Or a retiring Shelby Rogers. An intriguing clash either way.
Qinwen Zheng v Amanda Anisimova
One tie on paper that perhaps is warranted for high praise is the clash between Qinwen Zheng and Amanda Anisimova.
The recent Olympic Games gold medalist who achieved her highest point and even more so than reaching the Australian Open final now has to go again and aim to continue that. She has been unwell since winning the gold medal so perhaps her form hasn't been a true reflection.
But it will be when it comes down to the crunch at the US Open. Anisimova has taken a week or two off since she reached her highest point since her comeback. She reached the final of the Canadian Open and returned to the top 50 in the WTA Rankings.
After struggling at times and having to play qualifying, it was a real welcome return for the American who has battled with issues off the court but at only 22 is a real talent and is one that will be a firm favourite especially back in the States.
Similar to Raducanu too who she has been pictured spending time with at previous tournaments, it is about enjoyment over completely burning out. As soon as she had her run in Canada, she spurned the quick turnaround to Cincinnati and took a week off on holiday in order to recharge her batteries. Putting herself first over constant play and she will hope that pays dividends.
Both players are powerful ball strikers albeit Qinwen Zheng's forehand with heavy topspin is a real weapon and will aim to throw Anisimova off her rhythm. But the real aggression game from Anisimova is known to throw a lot of players off. Including Aryna Sabalenka who lost again to her recently and the Belarusian has been seen by many as perhaps the best player in the world right now so the game is very much there for the American. Can she harness it?
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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