Sunday's US Open first round pits Ekaterina Alexandrova against Mccartney Kessler on hard. Ekaterina Alexandrova limps in on a 2-match losing skid, just 6 wins in 10. Mccartney Kessler limps in on a 2-match losing skid, just 4 wins in 10.

Hold strength tells the story — 67.1% versus 61.9% on first-serve points in Alexandrova's favor. Little separates them; Alexandrova gets the nod on the finest of margins.