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)
