Two former US Open champions and world No. 1s cannot overlook their opening tests at the final major of the season.

Maria Sharapova versus Maria Kirilenko

It is a given that the vast majority of first-round matches at a major tend to be washouts.  The top seeds often trounce their lower-ranked opposition as they begin their march towards Week 2.  On a rare occasion, however, sometimes what appears to be a relatively straightforward early affair evolves into an entertaining encounter. This could be the case in the all-Russian contest between Maria Sharapova and Maria Kirilenko.

Realistically, there is little to suggest that this should be anything other than a walk in the park for Sharapova.  She came into this US Open ranked No. 6 and has picked up three titles in 2014 alone, including her fifth major crown at Roland Garros.  Contrast that with Kirilenko, who came to New York ranked outside = the top 100.  Due to injuries, she was not even able get her 2014 campaign underway until Charleston this year, and as a result, she has logged precious little time on the match court.

The head-to-head between the two also points to Sharapova having ample reason to feel plenty confident about her odds of advancing at Kirilenko’s expense.  She has won on five of the seven occasions that they have squared off, including the last three consecutive meetings.  That the higher-ranked Russian has been so dominant in this rivalry is hardly surprising, however.  She has more big-match experience and overall more firepower in every facet of the game, making it difficult for Kirilenko to gain a secure foothold in the rallies.

But though the deck is stacked against Kirilenko in this rivalry, there are a couple of areas where she maintains the edge.  One is in her movement, and the other is in her variety.  She has very good hands and knows her way around the forecourt much better than Sharapova.  Kirilenko will also remember that one of her two victories over the former No. 1 came in the opening round of the Australian Open a few years ago, so she knows she is capable of pulling off such an upset.  Additionally, as a friend who has known Sharapova for a long time, she is less likely to be overawed at the prospect of playing her.

For sure Kirilenko is going to need to make the most of whatever positives she can garner when she takes to the court against Sharapova.  If she does, lightning might strike twice, just as it did when she faced Sharapova four years ago in Melbourne.  But do not bet on it.  The odds are that Sharapova will advance to the second round with relative ease.

Venus Williams versus Kimiko Date-Krumm

It is not every day that Venus Williams takes to the court against an opponent who is her senior.  Yet she will be doing just that when she plays Japan’s Kimiko Date-Krumm in the opening round of the US Open.  They are two wily veterans, and if they both bring their best to the table, they should be able to provide plenty of drama for the fans.

Of the pair, Williams is the heavy favorite to get through this contest.  She has played some of her best tennis in recent memory throughout this 2014 season, including her run to the finals of Montréal a few weeks ago, where she defeated her sister and current world No. 1 Serena Williams en route to the championship match.  Results like that have seen Venus catapult back into the Top 20 and once again feeling confident about her game.  By comparison, Date-Krumm’s season has not been nearly as lucrative.  She has posted some respectable runs by reaching the semifinals in Monterrey and quarterfinals in Birmingham, but as her current ranking of No. 89 would suggest, she is not exactly playing a brand of tennis that instills fear in the opposition.

That said, the Japanese player does have a throwback playing style that can, at least initially, be unsettling to some players.  She takes the ball early and hits very low and flat, which when her game is clicking, can help her gain control of the rallies.  She is also comfortable in the forecourt, which is not something that can be said of many of today’s players.  The problem for Date-Krumm is that Williams has also become increasingly more adept in the forecourt, and with a larger wingspan, she cuts a more imposing figure at the net.  Furthermore, Williams can cover ground with greater ease, and with her superior firepower, is going to enjoy the advantage when it comes to gaining the offensive.

But Williams will need to ensure that her game is firing on all cylinders to employ her advantages if she hopes to get the victory.  She is a perfect 3-0 against Date-Krumm, but two of their three previous encounters have gone the distance.  Additionally, as a seasoned veteran, Date-Krumm is unlikely to be intimidated by Williams or shocked by anything that the American may throw her way.  If Williams wants to advance for a spot in the second round, she is going to have to earn it.

When all is said and done, Williams will more than likely earn that berth in Round 2.  That does not mean that it will not be entertaining watching her get there, though, and it is not a sure thing.  Date-Krumm has surprised many with what she has been able to accomplish since returning to the tour, and an upset over Williams at the American’s home slam is certainly well within the realm of possibility.