The second day of the US Open features the defending champion facing a rising American talent and a contrast of styles on an outer court.

Serena Williams versus Taylor Townsend

Let the clichés regarding the passing of the torch commence!  Serena Williams will be taking on compatriot Taylor Townsend in an opening encounter that fans of American tennis are eagerly anticipating.  This all-American clash may also prove to be a good gauge for just how ready the next generation is to take over from the veterans.

Ranked just outside the top 100, 18-year-old Townsend is thought by many to be one of the most promising prospects of the next crop of American players.  The lefty has exceptional firepower off both wings, but more importantly, she refuses to rely solely on bludgeoning the ball.  She has developed an all-court game that includes a tricky slice and more than adequate skills at the net.  She unquestionably has the tools to succeed in this game as she grows in experience and confidence.

Experience is something that Williams has in abundance.  She comes into New York knowing that she has won the championship here three of the last five times that she has played it.  Furthermore, the current world No. 1 is the proud owner of 62 titles, five of which she secured this season.  In the weeks leading up to the US Open, Serena has played particularly well.  She snagged tournament crowns in Stanford and Cincinnati, which has likely helped restore some of the confidence that was shaken after her early exit at Wimbledon.  Couple that with her brand of unparalleled power tennis, and she is going to be a tough customer for anyone to dismiss.

For Townsend, she must guard against allowing the occasion to get to her.  Playing in front of her home crowd against a giant in the sport could be overwhelming to anyone.  But Townsend needs to remind herself that Williams is just the opponent across the net.  She has the necessary skills to stand on the same court as Williams, and if she executes her game to the best of her ability, this could be a more competitive match than what it looks on paper. 

Of course, Williams must manage her own nerves.  She has underperformed at the majors in 2014, and that was in spite of having good warm-ups for the Australian Open and Roland Garros.  Her stellar play this summer puts her in a good place heading into the US Open, but just as in Melbourne and Paris, it is no guarantee that she can be expected to make a deep run in Flushing Meadows.  If Townsend can hang with her early, demons from the year’s first three majors may come back to haunt Williams and make things complicated.

Most will not expect Williams to allow things to get complicated, but stranger things have happened.  That is why they play the matches.  Still, in the end, this should be a straightforward victory for Williams and a good learning experience for Townsend.

Heather Watson versus Sorana Cirstea

Professional sports, like life in general, can at times be cruel.  Young careers, full of hope and promise, can be hindered or altogether halted by injury and illness.  That is a fact that Heather Watson and Sorana Cirstea know all too well.  But both hopefully also know that there are chances to move back in the right direction, and when they take to the court against each other, they will know that they have more than likely been presented with just such an opportunity.

Watson has been one of the most promising female prospects to come out of Great Britain in some time.  She won her first title in Osaka two years ago and cracked the tio 40 last season.  Unfortunately, a combination of injuries and illness left her sidelined for much of 2013 and part of 2014, but she has done well to slowly get her game back on track.  Watson secured a couple of ITF titles and delighted her home crowd with a semifinal run on the lawns of Eastbourne.  Undoubtedly she will be looking to build on that success in New York.

Watson’s opponent, Sorana Cirstea, is apt to be just as keen to put together a nice run in New York, however.  Just a year ago she was ranked a career-high No. 21 and one of the brightest stars of Romanian tennis.  But injuries have taken their toll, and she comes into this US Open ranked outside the top 80, all but forgotten in the shadow of Simona Halep.  Cirstea is still young, though, and there is no time like the present to begin her ascent back towards the top.

The Romanian will have her work cut out for her if she hopes to get the better of Watson and take her first step towards waging a successful US Open campaign.  She has the bigger groundstrokes, and if she is able to utilize her favorite shot, the forehand, to open up the court, that would make life easier for her.  But Cirstea, who has a tendency to be inconsistent, must be wary of committing too many unforced errors.  That is a difficult proposition against someone as speedy as Watson.  Watson also holds the mental edge in this rivalry.  She leads their head-to-head 2-0, and as shown by her higher ranking, has been playing the better tennis of the pair.

In the end, this contest comes down to who wants it more and does not allow that desire to turn into desperation that negatively affects a player’s game in the big moments.  At stake is a place in the second round and possibly an encounter with a less-than-confident Eugenie Bouchard.  Watson has the edge to be the one to book that date, but do not be surprised if Cirstea rediscovers the form that had her knocking on the door to the top 20 and moves on instead.