Match of the Day: [24] Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP) vs Alison Riske (USA)

Muguruza is one of the most vexing players to predict. She holds two major titles and was also a major runner-up.  When she plays well, she looks like a star who could be setting the standard on the WTA Tour, but her style of play also seems to have a low margin for error.  Riske is not exactly a backboard or defensive player.  Still, she has a lot of momentum and confidence since Wimbledon.  If Riske plays with self-belief, Muguruza will have to tap into a level I have not seen from her game in many months.  My Prediction Alison Riske d. Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 6-3

Predicted Winners in BOLD

ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM (Noon start)

[1] Naomi Osaka (JPN) vs  Anna Blinkova (RUS) – Osaka seems to be a little overawed by winning two majors in a row.  Still, she should win this round.

[11] Sloane Stephens (USA) vs [Q] Anna Kalinskaya (RUS) – One of the mysteries of this tournament is how will Sloane Stephens do.

LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM (11 a.m. start)

[4] Simona Halep (ROU) vs [LL] Nicole Gibbs (USA) – Gibbs is playing with house money as a lucky loser, but Halep minus a meltdown wins.

Anastasia Potapova (RUS) vs. [WC] Coco Gauff (USA) – The crowd should rightfully be going nuts during this match.

[9] Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) vs Victoria Azarenka (BLR) – The battle for Minsk?

GRANDSTAND

[24] Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP) vs Alison Riske (USA) – See above

[19] Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) vs. Yafan Wang (CHN) – Can Woz make a run?

COURT 17

[6] Petra Kvitova (CZE) vs [Q] Denisa Allertova (CZE)

[7] Kiki Bertens (NED) vs [LL] Paula Badosa (ESP)

COURT 5

[13] Belinda Bencic (SUI) vs Mandy Minella (LUX)

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) vs [WC] Kristie Ahn (USA) – Cincy momentum for the veteran?

COURT 10

[26] Julia Goerges (GER) vs  Natalia Vikhlyantseva (RUS)

[15] B. Andreescu (CAN) vs [WC] Katie Volynets (USA) – Andreescu is one of about 20 players to watch in this event.

COURT 13

Andrea Petkovic (GER) vs. Mihaela Buzarnescu (ROU)

Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) vs. Madison Brengle (USA)

COURT 4

[28] Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) vs [Q] Timea Babos (HUN)

Kristyna Pliskova (CZE) vs. [WC] Diane Parry (FRA) – This all comes down to Parry’s return of serve.

COURT 6

Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) vs. Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 

[21] Anett Kontaveit (EST) vs Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP)

COURT 7

Alizé Cornet (FRA) vs. Jessica Pegula (USA)

[Q] Taylor Townsend (USA) vs. Kateryna Kozlova (UKR)

COURT 8

[LL] Xiyu Wang (CHN) vs. [LL] Kirsten Flipkens (BEL)

COURT 9

Kaia Kanepi (EST) vs. Tatjana Maria (GER)

[25] Elise Mertens (BEL) vs Jil Teichmann (SUI)

COURT 11

Danielle Collins (USA) vs Polona Hercog (SLO)

Sorana Cirstea (ROU) vs. Katerina Siniakova (CZE)

COURT 12

[23] Donna Vekic (CRO) vs [Q] Richel Hogenkamp (NED)

[31] Barbora Strycova (CZE) vs Aliona Bolsova (ESP)

COURT 14

Pauline Parmentier (FRA) vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)

Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) vs. Marie Bouzkova (CZE)

COURT 15

[WC] Francesca Di Lorenzo (USA) vs. Veronika Kudermetova (RUS)

Astra Sharma (AUS) vs. Magda Linette (POL)