Tagger's US Open Opponent? "She shouldn't be able to surprise me"

Lilli Tagger makes her singles main draw debut at the US Open on Monday (from 5 PM in the LIVE ticker).

Her first-round opponent is 31-year-old Tamara Korpatsch from Germany (WTA-48.). Tagger enters the duel with confidence, as she won both previous encounters in 2025.

The two last faced each other at the end of October 2025 in the quarterfinals of Jiujiang. Shortly thereafter, the East Tyrolean reached her first WTA final.

Tagger: "I know how she plays"

"I played her twice last year and won both times. I know how she plays, and she shouldn't be able to surprise me now," Tagger said positively in an interview with the "Kleine Zeitung".

However, she also warns: "I must not underestimate her under any circumstances; she also won her first WTA title this year and is currently playing very strongly."

Anisimova in round two? "I would be a massive underdog"

Should Tagger overcome the Korpatsch hurdle and reach the second round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career, she could face a duel with American Amanda Anisimova (WTA-10.).

"Playing against one of the strongest Americans in America would be incredible," says Tagger, who also knows: "Of course, I would be a massive underdog."

Tagger wants to learn from doubles partner Errani again

By the way, Tagger will once again team up with Sara Errani in doubles. The 39-year-old Italian has already won six Grand Slam women's doubles titles in her career.

"Her regular partner Jasmine Paolini is not yet fully fit, so she asked if I might have time," said the 18-year-old Austrian. "I'm really looking forward to it because I can learn a lot from her."

Tagger is staying in a hotel near Times Square. "There's an incredible amount going on in the streets, and they offer a lot of shows there too. That's pretty cool."