The upcoming US Open promises thrilling matchups, including the highly anticipated clash between Jelena Ostapenko and Naomi Osaka. Despite their contrasting personalities, both players share a common trait: their ability to dominate opponents and produce unpredictable results.
Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, has had a mixed summer, reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals but losing early in Toronto. Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam winner, has also experienced ups and downs, nearly defeating Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros but losing to a lower-ranked player in Cincinnati.
Their only previous meeting, in 2016 at Roland Garros, saw Osaka prevail in two close sets. However, Ostapenko’s recent form and slightly higher win count this season suggest she may have the edge this time.
Another intriguing matchup is between Jannik Sinner and Mackenzie McDonald. Sinner, the top seed, faces questions about his mindset after revelations of positive drug tests. However, he has expressed relief at having the ordeal behind him and may play more freely.
McDonald, an American, has a strong two-handed backhand and has pushed Sinner to three sets in the past. The crowd support for McDonald could make this a competitive match, but Sinner’s power and experience should ultimately prevail.
Tommy Paul, the third-highest-ranked American man, faces a tough first-round opponent in Lorenzo Sonego. Sonego recently won a title in Winston-Salem without dropping a set, while Paul has been recovering from the Olympics.
Paul will have the crowd advantage, but Sonego’s powerful forehand could be a factor if the court plays fast. However, Paul’s recovery time and Sonego’s potential fatigue from his recent title run may give Paul the edge.
