Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the WTA US Open match.
Anna Kalinskaya, the world No. 29, is sustaining a strong season and can consolidate her place inside the top 30. Yulia Putintseva has only just snapped a poor run, and she now faces a serious test in the second round of the US Open.
Anna Kalinskaya
Anna Kalinskaya came through Clervie Ngounoue in the opening round (6:0, 5:7, 6:4). Despite a poor second set, the player posted solid serving statistics, with 67% first serves in, winning 70% of points behind it. Anna is in good form, with eight wins in her last 11 matches against top-60 opponents. On hard courts she has lost only three of her last 13, reaching the final in Washington and the quarter-finals in Cincinnati.
Yulia Putintseva
Yulia Putintseva finally got a win on hard courts, getting past Elisabetta Cocciaretto, but the quality was unconvincing: on first serve she won only 55% of points and hit no aces. Her record on hard courts is poor — nine defeats in her last 11, including a loss to the world No. 203, Hanyu Guo, in Montreal (3:6, 3:6).
Anna Kalinskaya vs Yulia Putintseva Prediction
Anna Kalinskaya has found excellent form, she is strong on return, and she should not allow her opponent to dictate the rallies. Yulia Putintseva is not strong on hard courts and is likely to lose to the Russian by at least four games.
