US Open 2024 Day 1: Women's singles predictions ft. Ajla Tomljanovic vs Ann Li, Elise Mertens vs Veronika Kudermetova

The 2024 US Open is just around the corner, with the main draw set to commence on Monday, August 26. The opening day promises an exciting lineup of matches, with thrilling clashes featuring top players such as Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, and Alexander Zverev all in the mix.

Focusing on the women’s side of things, defending champion Gauff will kick off her title defense against Varvara Gracheva at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Last year's runner-up Sabalenka, meanwhile, will face Priscilla Hon in the final match of the day on Grandstand. Other notable women competing on Day 1 include Elina Svitolina, Paula Badosa, Victoria Azarenka, Donna Vekic, and Taylor Townsend.

On that note, here’s a look at predictions for a few of the women’s matches that are set to take place on the opening day of the 2024 US Open:

#5 Harriet Dart vs Chloe Paquet

Harriet Dart in action at the National Bank Open (Picture: Getty)

Harriet Dart comes into the US Open with a 24-23 match record for the season. She turned around her slow start to the year at the Winners Open in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, reaching the semifinals before losing to eventual champion Karolina Pliskova. Following a disappointing clay court season, Dart found success at Eastbourne International, where she advanced to the quarterfinals. At Wimbledon, she made the third round of the tournament, securing an impressive victory over compatriot and 32nd seed Katie Boulter before losing to Wang Xinyu despite winning the first set. Dart navigated the qualifiers successfully at both the National Bank Open and the Cincinnati Open but fell in the first round of each event.

Chloe Paquet, on the other hand, holds a 25-24 match record this season, with most of her success coming in ITF and WTA 125 tournaments. She reached the third round of the French Open with victories over Diana Shnaider and Katerina Siniakova before losing to fifth seed Marketa Vondrousova. Paquet also had a strong performance at the Palermo Open, where she reached the quarterfinals. She has played only one match during the American hardcourt swing in the leadup to the US Open, losing to Lulu Sun in Monterrey.

Dart's superior record on hardcourt should see her seal a routine win, with an upset looking highly unlikely. She's also won her previous three encounters against Paquet, the most recent one coming at the US Open last year.

Pick: Dart to win in straight sets.

#4 Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Viktoriya Tomova

Ekaterina Alexandrova in action at the Miami Open (Picture: Getty)

Ekaterina Alexandrova heads into the US Open with an 18-18 singles record for the season. She started the year strong, reaching the finals in Linz and the quarterfinals in Adelaide, where she was defeated by Jelena Ostapenko both times. She played some of her best tennis in Miami, defeating Donna Vekic, Iga Swiatek, and Jessica Pegula before falling to Danielle Collins in the semifinals. After a lackluster clay court season, Alexandrova excelled on grass, reaching the semifinals at the Libema Open. She recently made another semifinal appearance in Monterrey, where she lost a three-set battle to Lulu Sun.

Viktoriya Tomova has a 26-24 winning record this season. She began the year strongly, advancing from the qualifiers to the quarterfinals in Hobart. She improved her performance in Morocco, reaching the semifinals before losing to compatriot and eventual winner Peyton Stearns in a three-set battle. Tomova started her grasscourt season well with another semifinal run at the Bad Homburg Open. Her American hardcourt swing has been inconsistent, with only one win out of four attempts.

Alexandrova's superior form on the hardcourts should she come through this encounter with relative ease. She also marginally leads their head-to-head 3-2. Tomova, however, has won their previous encounter at the US Open.

Pick: Alexandrova in straight sets.

#3 Dayana Yastremska vs Jule Niemeier

Dayana Yastremska in action at the Wimbledon Championships (Picture: Getty)

Dayana Yastremska has had a breakthrough season, currently holding a 20-16 match record. She began the year with a strong performance, reaching the semifinals in Melbourne before losing to Zheng Qinwen. Yastremska continued her solid form in the remaining Grand Slams, making it to the third round at both the French Open and Wimbledon.

Jule Niemeier has a 32-24 record this season, with much of her success coming in WTA 125 and ITF tournaments. Her best results include reaching the second round in Linz, San Diego, and Bad Homburg. Niemeier navigated the qualifiers at the French Open but was defeated by Xinyu Wang in the first round. At Wimbledon, she advanced to the second round before losing to 21st seed Elina Svitolina.

The pair have never met in professional competition, making their first encounter likely to be an exciting one. Yastremska is favored to advance, given her impressive form on hard courts this season coupled with Niemeier's inconsistency in main draw matches.

Pick: Yastremska in straight sets.

#2 Elise Mertens vs Veronika Kudermetova

Elise Mertens in action at the National Bank Open (Picture: Getty)

Elise Mertens has a 21-20 match record this year as she heads into the US Open. Although primarily known for her success in doubles, Mertens has significantly improved her singles game over the past couple of years. Her standout result this season was reaching the finals in Hobart at the start of the year. She also made it to the quarterfinals in Linz and Charleston, where she was defeated by Danielle Collins and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, respectively.

In contrast, Veronika Kudermetova holds a 12-17 match record this year. She struggled early in the season, failing to win two consecutive matches until reaching the quarterfinals at the Charleston Open. Her performances on clay and grass courts were also underwhelming, with the grass court season being the furthest she advanced. Kudermetova missed most of the American hardcourt swing, participating only in Monterrey.

The match should be an evenly contested affair given the pair's similar record on tour this season. Kudermetova's greater singles expertise could prove to be the difference.

Mertens leads their head-to-head 4-2. Kudermetova, however, has won their previous two encounters, the most recent was in Abu Dhabi last year.

Pick: Kudermetova in three sets.

#1 Ajla Tomljanovic vs Ann Li

Ajla Tomljanovic in action at the National Bank Open (Pictures: Getty)

Ajla Tomljanovic heads into the US Open with a 12-12 match record for the year. She started the season with a second-round finish in Melbourne but then underwent foot surgery, which sidelined her until May. She returned at the French Open, where she lost her opener to Dayana Yastremska. Tomljanovic regained form on grass, reaching the finals in Birmingham before falling to Yulia Putintseva in a three-set thriller. Her preparation for the US Open has been less than ideal, with early exits in both Cincinnati and Monterrey.

Ann Li holds a 26-19 record this year, primarily competing on the Challenger, ITF, and WTA 125 circuits. She made her first main draw appearance of the year in San Diego, where she advanced from the qualifiers but lost to Marta Kostyuk. Li secured her fourth US Open main draw appearance by successfully navigating the qualifiers earlier this week.

Tomljanovic won their only previous encounter and is favored to prevail again. Her experience and skill on faster hard courts could be a significant advantage over Li, who tends to hit a rather slow ball from the back of the court.

Pick: Tomljanovic in straight sets.