Monday is the first day of the 2011 U.S. Open, and brings with it a lot of big names facing overmatched opponents and qualifiers looking to make some noise. Here’s a rundown of the matches on the 2011 U.S. Open schedule fans should be watching.
1. Tobias Kamke vs. No. 8 Mardy Fish -- First at Arthur Ashe Stadium -- This could be Mardy Fish’s best chance at a Grand Slam event, and Fish making a run at the U.S. Open could be a huge shot in the arm for American men’s tennis. Making quick work of Tobias Kamke, a German journeyman, would set Fish off on the right foot. Prediction: Fish in four sets.
2. No. 3 Roger Federer vs. Santiago Giraldo -- Fourth at Arthur Ashe Stadium -- Roger Federer’s last chance to win a Grand Slam event in 2011 begins with Santiago Giraldo. Can the Swiss master show the form of old? Prediction: Federer in three sets.
3. Heather Watson vs. No. 3 Maria Sharapova -- Second at Arthur Ashe Stadium -- Maria Sharapova may have her best chance at a Grand Slam event in years at Flushing Meadows, and should cruise past Britain’s Heather Watson. If Sharapova doesn’t, though, it could be a sign that she will have to grind through this tournament. Prediction: Sharapova in two sets
U.S. Open 2011 Schedule And Draw: Matches To Watch On Monday
4. Stephanie Foretz Gacon vs. No. 2 Vera Zvonareva -- Third at Louis Armstrong Stadium -- Vera Zvonareva is the highest-seeded player in action on Monday, and may be one of the more forgotten women in the field, with attention focused, as usual, on Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki, and the Williams sisters. She could change that with some strong play in her opening match. Prediction: Zvonareva in two sets.
5. Urszula Radwanska vs. No. 12 Agnieszka Radwanska -- Fourth on Court 11 -- Yes, there is more than one set of sisters on the WTA circuit. The elder Radwanska is the ranked one, and should have little trouble dusting little sister Urszula. Prediction: Agnieszka Radwanska in three sets.
BONUS. Anastasiya Yakimova vs. Noppawan Lertcheewakarn -- Fourth on Court 9 -- For the names, really. Prediction: Yakimova in three sets.
Coverage of the 2011 U.S. Open begins at 11 a.m. Eastern. Stay tuned to this StoryStream for updates as U.S. Open matches are completed.
