Predicted Winners in BOLD

Women’s Match of the Day – Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova

Serena has won the US Open 6-times.  Maria Sharapova won the US Open in 2006.  Serena has dominated their head-to-head matches 19-3, but any match pitting two former champions and former #1s in the first round has to be the match of the day.  The fact that they don’t seem to like each other very much adds a bit to this even if Sharapova has not played in the top tier of tennis since her suspension for PEDs.  Serena should win, but this match is worth keeping an eye on for its implications as much as anything.  My Prediction: Serena Williams d. Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-1

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Men’s Match of the Day: Stan Wawrinka vs. Jannik Sinner

This is a bit unfortunate for each man.  Sinner won the Lexington Challenger, is 18, and playing great tennis.  He could very well pull an upset, but Stan is the type of rugged, hard-hitting opponent, that a younger player will struggle against in a 3 of 5 set match.  Stan, on the other hand, is trying to regain form since injury issues.  The 2016 US Open champion probably would have liked an easy opponent to get some good vibes going.  Wawrinka may face elimination even if his form and health have improved.  Youth vs. Experience … should be fun for everyone but maybe the two players. My Prediction: Stan Wawrinka d. Jannik Sinner 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-2

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Chalk* Rolls in These Matches:

*Chalk is a term for top seeds in the NCAA basketball tournament

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Another one to Watch: Angelique Kerber vs. Kristina Mladenovic – I think Kerber, who is also a 2016 singles champion at the US Open, will win, but this is not an ideal draw for either player.    My Prediction: Kerber in 2 or 3 close sets.

Kerber will need her 2016 form to contend in an unpredictable 2019 US Open Women’s Draw that is full of talent and question marks