McCartney Kessler vs Marketa Vondrousova

🎾 US Open Betting Briefings
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McCartney Kessler vs Marketa Vondrousova — US Open 2R Preview

WTA US Open Hard Court Round 2

🧠 Form & Context

McCartney Kessler (No. 41, age 26)

• 🇺🇸 Late bloomer making a real Slam push.
• 📊 2025: 31–19 overall, 21–11 on hard. Champion in Hobart & Nottingham.
• 🔥 USO 1R: Beat Magda Linette 7–5, 7–5 for her second Slam MD win.
• 🏟️ Slams: AO 2024 R2, Wimbledon 2025 R1 (lost to Vondrousova). Hunting a maiden R3.
• 💡 Style: First-strike baseliner who likes to dictate on hard courts.

Marketa Vondrousova (No. 60, age 26)

• 🇨🇿 Former Wimbledon champion, ex-No. 6.
• 📊 2025: 15–8 overall, 7–6 on hard. Titles: Berlin (WTA 500). RG R3.
• 🔥 USO 1R: Def. Selekhmeteva 6–3, 7–6 after a mid-match wobble.
• 🏟️ US Open: Best = QF (2023). Back after missing 2024.
• ⚠️ Fitness: Stop-start last 18 months (left thigh, Berlin retirement). Rhythm still returning.

Head-to-Head: 1–0 Vondrousova — Wimbledon 2025 R1 (6–1, 7–6).

🔍 Match Breakdown

Patterns: Kessler brings flatter, direct pace; Vondrousova disrupts with lefty spin, height changes, and short-angles. If Kessler lands early depth, she can rush the Czech and shrink the court.

Confidence vs pedigree: Kessler rides two 250 titles and a quality R1 win; Vondrousova owns the bigger Slam résumé and problem-solving chops in tight sets.

Physical question: Over longer exchanges, any fitness dip from Vondrousova keeps the door open. If this stretches to a decider, Kessler’s court-speed comfort in the U.S. could matter.

Revenge angle: Fresh loss at Wimbledon adds fuel for Kessler; Vondrousova aims for a tidier service performance than R1.

🔮 Prediction

Expect a closer contest than their grass meeting. Kessler’s pace can grab scoreboard leads, yet Vondrousova’s lefty craft and shot variety remain the higher ceiling. One tiebreak or late-set squeeze feels live.

Pick: Vondrousova in 3 sets — Kessler threatens if the Czech’s rhythm dips, but experience and variety should carry Marketa across the line.

📊 Tale of the Tape (Qualitative)

• First-strike pace: Edge Kessler on quick courts.
• Variety & disguise: Clear edge Vondrousova (lefty spin, angles, touch).
• Big-match reps: Vondrousova — Slam champ, USO QF history.
• Recent meeting: Vondrousova in straights at Wimbledon; surface today favors Kessler more.
• Volatility index: Medium — expect a swingy middle phase and at least one long set.