Storylines to watch on Day 2 of the 2024 US Open.
Monday was enthralling across the board. Tuesday has a lot to live up to at Flushing Meadows.
USOpen.org previews Day 2 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where an all-star cast is on the schedule.
Top seeds, top billing
A host of key contenders sent out a signal of intent on Day 1. On Day 2, the top seeds in New York—the world No.1 duo of
Iga Swiatek and
Jannik Sinner—begin their US Open quests.
2022 champion Swiatek faces lucky loser
Kamilla Rakhimova in the opening clash in Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Pole has already accumulated a tour-leading 53 match wins in 2024, but will be eager to bounce back here from an off-kilter 6-3, 6-3 defeat by
Aryna Sabalenka in the Cincinnati semifinals.
World No. 104 Rakhimova shouldn't be underestimated, having reached the 2021 US Open third round (interestingly, also as a lucky loser).
Sinner, the recent Cincinnati Masters champion, has American
Mackenzie McDonald first up.
The Italian holds a 3-0 head-to-head lead, however McDonald has taken a set in both of their previous hard-court encounters.
Clear the day for Jelena vs. Naomi
World No.10
Jelena Ostapenko can blaze the ball past anyone, has an absorbing unpredictability in her shotmaking and persona. But
Naomi Osaka can blaze the ball past any opponent too, as proven by 2018 and 2020 title lifts at the US Open.
Can Osaka recapture her major arena tennis? The former world No.1 has been searching for the formula all season following her 2023 maternity leave. This would be some statement should Osaka win.
Expect fireworks, expect laser-like shots. This is the first time two former Grand Slams women's singles champions will collide in the US Open first round since Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova in 2019. It's that kind of high-caliber contest.
Match Preview
- Ostapenko won 73% of her points on the first serve at the 2023 US Open ranking 10th among all competitors, which could make it difficult for Naomi Osaka to return effectively and gain an advantage.
- Ostapenko's tendency to make errors from her forehand, which accounted for 62% of her errors at the 2023 US Open, could allow Osaka her to gain an advantage.
- The last time Osaka and Ostapenko met was in the first round of Roland Garros in 2016, where Osaka won in straight sets.
Former champions throw their hat in the ring
Tuesday's Louis Armstrong Stadium night session opener is a blockbuster with 2019 champion
Bianca Andreescu out to prove her major prowess against the formidable Roland Garros and Wimbledon runner-up
Jasmine Paolini.
The No. 5 seed overcame Andreescu during both of those Grand Slam runs: a 6-1, 3-6, 6-0 tussle in Paris, before a 7-6(4), 6-1 scoreline in southwest London. Can Andreecu enact revenge?
A fascinating first-hurdle battle with 2021 champion
Emma Raducanu over the net from Australian Open 2020 winner
Sofia Kenin is on deck in the Grandstand at dusk. They've been there, they've done it, but in their first meeting, who will be brave, step in and dictate play?
Also in Armstrong, 2021 champion
Daniil Medvedev faces the dogged Serbian
Dusan Lajovic, who owns a 2-1 record over the world No.5. They haven’t met since Medvedev's US Open-winning year, and the ex-No. 1 comes into this tournament, somehow, under the radar after going 0-2 in Montreal and Cincinnati.
The recent seasons point to a Medvedev win, but Lajovic relishes an underdog clash.
Those with tickets, take it all in, for those unable to this time out, put your feet up and grab plenty of snacks–the Arthur Ashe Stadium night session offering is superb.
2022 champion
Carlos Alcaraz, adding his third and fourth major over the summer at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, is one of the hottest talents in world sport. That trademark grin, those dynamic points—the Spaniard's play matches the electric New York atmosphere.
What can Australian qualifier
Li Tu serve up to disrupt Alcaraz on his US Open debut?
Next up, it's an All-American battle. Former world No. 30
Shelby Rogers caps her impressive career after the US Open. What has the 31-year-old got left in the tank for No.6 seed
Jessica Pegula, who recently lifted the Toronto title and then finished a finalist in Cincinnati?
