Starodubtseva vs Blinkova

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Starodubtseva vs Blinkova — US Open 1R Preview

WTA US Open Hard Court Round 1

🧠 Form & Context

Yuliia Starodubtseva (No. 66, age 25)

• 🇺🇦 Steady rise into the top 70 off a solid baseline platform.
• 📊 2025: 20–26 (7–12 on hard).
• 🏟️ Slams 2025: R2 at Roland Garros & Wimbledon; 0–1 so far in USO main draws.
• 💡 Strengths: Aggressive forehand, resilient in deciding sets.
• ⚠️ Weakness: Inconsistent week-to-week; summer swing mixed (Montreal 3R but early exits in Cincy & Cleveland).

Anna Blinkova (No. 78, age 26)

• 🇷🇺 Experienced tour pro, former top-35.
• 📉 Recent form: just one win across her last five events.
• 🏟️ US Open jinx: 0–7 in R1 here—never past the opener.
• 💡 Strengths: Clean ball-striker, sturdy backhand, can flip momentum quickly.
• ⚠️ Weakness: Confidence fragile at Slams; hard-court results shaky lately.

📊 Head-to-Head: First meeting.

🔍 Match Breakdown

On paper, Blinkova’s peak ball-striking offers the higher ceiling. In practice, the New York baggage matters: seven straight first-round exits can creep into decision-making on tight points. Starodubtseva, meanwhile, has banked scrappier wins this season and tends to embrace third-set chaos better.

Tactically, expect Starodubtseva to test Blinkova’s forehand with heavy cross-court patterns before changing line off the forehand. Blinkova’s route is to serve with discipline, lean on the backhand exchange, and keep first-strike errors down early to avoid scoreboard stress.

If nerves appear, the Ukrainian’s willingness to extend rallies and absorb a punch may prove decisive; if Blinkova settles and finds first-serve locations, her weight of shot still plays.

🔮 Prediction

The US Open trend line and recent confidence lean toward Starodubtseva, though Blinkova remains dangerous if she starts clean. Small edge to the steadier week-to-week performer in a likely two-hour scrap.

Pick: Starodubtseva in three sets.

📊 Tale of the Tape (Qualitative)

• Form trend: Starodubtseva steadier grind; Blinkova searching.
• Surface fit: Even; Blinkova has more first-strike pop, Starodubtseva more rally tolerance.
• Big-point poise: Lean Starodubtseva given Blinkova’s NYC history.
• Third-set grit: Edge Starodubtseva.
• X-factor: Can Blinkova break the 0–7 R1 pattern with a hot serving day?