Caroline Wozniacki versus Ekaterina Makarova

There was ample talk about how wide open the women's field was coming into this US Open, and with both Simona Halep and Johanna Konta exiting in the first round, the bottom half has become even more so.  One woman hoping to take advantage of that is Caroline Wozniacki.  The fifth seed is a former finalist here and the former world no. 1 has also been enjoying a nice resurgence in 2017.  She will have an excellent look at continuing that resurgence against Ekaterina Makarova, her second-round opponent.  The Dane is 7-0 against the Russian, but that does not mean she will be taking Makarova lightly.  The Russian has been rebuilding her ranking since returning from injuries, and she was once a former top-10 singles and doubles player.

She is also a former semifinalist here and has garnered many impressive victories in her career.  Like Wozniacki, she is very quick about the court, solid from both wings, and enjoys an advantage in the forecourt.  The issue for her in the past is that Wozniacki is ultimately more consistently patient and has been able to wear her down, but given how even they are in so many facets of their games, it is surprising that this rivalry is so one-sided in the five-seed's favor.  For that reason, it should not be entirely shocking to see Makarova finally get a win on the board, but it is far more likely that Wozniacki will keep her pristine record intact to advance to the third round.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga versus Denis Shapovalov

A feast of spectacular shot-making is what could be on offer in this second-round encounter that pits Jo-Wilfried Tsonga against Denis Shapovalov.  Fans are familiar with the Frenchman, a former top-10 player who made deep runs at a number of the sport's most prestigious events, including a finalist appearance at the Australian Open in 2008.  They are less likely to be so with the Canadian teenager, who has spent the bulk of his young career playing the Challengers.  But, Shapovalov announced his arrival in a big way at his native Canadian Open where he shocked both Juan Martin del Potro and Rafael Nadal on his way to a semifinal finish and it is that run that could give him a slight edge in this first meeting between himself and the Frenchman. 

Both are flashy shot-makers who are exceptionally quick around the court.  They both possess big forehands, their ground stroke of choice, though it is Shapovalov who arguably can make more headway from the backhand wing. Tsonga enjoys a decisive advantage when it comes to getting the job done at the net, but then they are a little more even in the serving department.  The difference-maker on Wednesday could be that the Canadian ought to be feeling more confident.  Although he has far less experience than the eighth-seed, he does have the semifinal showing in Canada, whereas Tsonga has struggled the back half of the year, including losing both of his openers in Canada and Cincinnati.  Tsonga also must cope with the burden of being the heavy favorite on paper, which brings a level of pressure that can wreak havoc on a player's game.  All told, this could be an entertaining affair and one that would not be entirely surprising to see end up with an upset in Shapovalov's favor.

Dominika Cibulkova versus Sloane Stephens

There were a handful of dangerous floaters coming into the US Open this year and Sloane Stephens was one of them.  The American had been relegated to the sidelines for many months following surgery, which has seen her ranking drop outside of the top-80.  But she has really come on strong since returning this summer, reaching the final four of both Canada and Cincinnati.  Her opponent, Dominika Cibulkova has also looked good this summer.  In addition to reaching the last sixteen in Cincinnati, she made the final of New Haven last week.  If both women are still riding a wave of confidence and can bring their best, then fans had better settle in for what could an entertaining war of attrition. 

Each woman is extremely quick about the court and will unabashedly go for her shots.  Stephens arguably enjoys a slight edge from the ground and especially on serve due to having the bigger game, but with her flat ground strokes, the Slovakian can pack a bigger punch than her size would suggest.  One would also be hard-pressed to find a feistier competitor than the eleventh seed, who does a better job than Stephens at picking herself up if she gets down in a match.  That said, Cibulkova also has more of a reputation for getting tight when she has a lead, something that Stephens should be well aware of.  Suffice it to say, there is little to choose between these two, as their last meeting in Acapulco, which ended in a third-set tiebreak in favor of the American, would suggest.  If she can continue her fine form and more importantly stay positive no matter the situation, then the slight nod of the head should go to Stephens, who does own the more imposing game.  But if she gives just an inch, then expect Cibulkova to live up to her seeding and advance to the third round.