2021 US Open First Round – Nina Stojanovic vs Aryna Sabalenka Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Nina Stojanovic vs Aryna Sabalenka taking place? Nina Stojanovic vs Aryna Sabalenka will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, USA
When is Nina Stojanovic vs Aryna Sabalenka on and what time does it start? Tuesday 31st August, 2021 – not before 00:00 (UK)
What surface is Nina Stojanovic vs Aryna Sabalenka being played on? Nina Stojanovic vs Aryna Sabalenka will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Nina Stojanovic vs Aryna Sabalenka? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Nina Stojanovic vs Aryna Sabalenka
What channel is Nina Stojanovic vs Aryna Sabalenka on in the UK? Amazon have exclusive rights to show the 2021 US Open in the UK so it is worth checking the Amazon Prime Video app on smart TVs for Nina Stojanovic vs Aryna Sabalenka
Where can I stream Nina Stojanovic vs Aryna Sabalenka in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers may be able to stream Nina Stojanovic vs Aryna Sabalenka live via their platform
THE LOWDOWN
NINA STOJANOVIC
25-year-old Nina Stojanovic enjoyed the best summer of her career so far after reaching the semi-finals of the Nottingham Open and coming as close to an Olympic Medal. The Serb played a strong Mixed doubles tournament alongside Novak Djokovic but missed out on a chance at a Bronze Medal when Djokovic was forced to retire through injury. She has yet to make a real dent at a Grand Slam but the experience in Tokyo could positively affect her Singles form for the rest of the year.
ARYNA SABALENKA
23-year-old Aryna Sabalenka prides herself in her vicious, full-power playstyle which often gets results when she is on song. The Belarusian proved a lot of people wrong about her ability to string enough of those performances together to win major tournaments by reaching the semi-final at Wimbledon back in July, losing in three sets to Karolina Pliskova. She has 10 WTA titles overall, winning two this year at the Abu Dhabi Open and the Madrid Masters.
THE PREDICTION
Nina Stojanovic would have been confident of reaching the second round of a Grand Slam for only the second time here after gaining some great experience at the Tokyo Olympic Games. The 25-year-old has drawn a very short straw, though, in having to face world number two Aryna Sabalenka, with the Belarussian tipped to perform very well indeed this fortnight. The conditions in New York should suit Sabalenka’s power-play modelled on her hero Serena Williams as the 23-year-old openly aims to hit the ball harder than anyone else on tour. She should be able to overpower Stojanovic from the off and throughout for a straight-sets victory here.
