Kessler vs Linette

🎾 US Open Betting Coverage
Daily previews, bankroll builders & in-play angles on Patreon.

Kessler vs Linette — US Open R1 Preview

WTA US Open Hard Court Round 1

🧠 Form & Context

McCartney Kessler (No. 34, age 26)

• 🇺🇸 Has rapidly risen into the top 30 this year, thanks to consistent hard-court results.
• 🏆 Titles: Cleveland (2024), Hobart (2025), Nottingham (grass 2025). Runner-up in Austin earlier this season.
• 📈 Hard-court record 2025: 20–11, plus multiple deep runs in WTA 500 events.
• 📊 Slam record: Still new to majors (AO R1, FO R1, Wim R1 this year). Looking for her first meaningful Slam run at home.
• ⚡ Strengths: Flat groundstrokes, aggressive positioning, excellent at redirecting pace.
• ⚠️ Weaknesses: Slam inexperience, can leak errors in pressure moments.

Magda Linette (No. 36, age 33)

• 🇵🇱 Veteran, AO 2023 semifinalist, but hasn’t recaptured that level since.
• 📉 2025 has been inconsistent (21–20 record), with 9 first-round losses in the last 8 months.
• 🎾 Recent highlights: upset Collins (Washington) and Pegula (Cincinnati). But also lost early to Sevastova in Montreal.
• 🏟️ US Open history: 4–6 in R1 matches, best run R3 in 2020. Struggles to find rhythm in New York.
• ⚡ Strengths: Backhand consistency, counter-punching, solid return game.
• ⚠️ Weaknesses: Confidence swings, physical wear-and-tear, unreliable serve under pressure.

📜 Head-to-Head

Kessler leads 1–0 (2025 Brisbane, 6–4, 6–4).

🔍 Match Breakdown

Kessler’s advantage: More momentum, better hard-court record this season, already beat Linette earlier this year in straight sets.

Linette’s upside: Her top-10 wins (Collins, Pegula) show she can raise her game unexpectedly, especially when overlooked.

Surface factor: Hard suits both, but Kessler thrives on North American courts, where she’s reached six finals in the last 18 months.

Key dynamics:

• If Kessler maintains her front-foot aggression, she should control the match.
• Linette will aim to extend rallies and frustrate the American, hoping nerves creep in given Kessler’s lack of Slam pedigree.

🔮 Prediction

Kessler has been the more reliable and consistent player in 2025, and her recent form on home soil should give her the edge. Linette’s streaky nature makes her a live underdog, but the head-to-head and momentum favor the American.

Pick: Kessler in 3 sets – Linette is dangerous enough to grab a set, but Kessler’s confidence and hard-court pedigree should see her through.