The first day of the Copa Colsanitas in Bogoto, Colombia should give us some great matches. Some big (and up-and-coming) names are playing right at the outset of the tournament. Who will win and move on, as we start the lead-up to the French Open? Let’s take our best guess.
WTA Bogota Day 1 Predictions
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova vs Ysaline Bonaventure
Bonaventura is slowly improving as she gets older. Some expected her to break out much earlier than this, but she’s making her way into a much more consistent player, especially this year. Of course, that won’t be enough to take on Schmiedlova. The Slovakian is a heavy favorite for a reason, though two tight sets wouldn’t surprise me.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 2
Elitsa Kostova vs Varvara Lepchenko
Lepchenko was a very late bloomer on the WTA Tour, but recent struggles have forced her to play more 125K tournaments and qualifying draws. She’s into the Main Draw of Bogota, though, and got lucky with it to boot. Kostova is ranked outside the Top 200 and only got into the tournament as a Lucky Loser. Playing her might be exactly what Lepchenko needs to get some clay wins to start off this spring.
Prediction: Lepchenko in 2
Francesca Di Lorenzo vs Jasmine Paolini
You may have never heard of either of these players, and that’s okay. Both of these women are outside the Top 150, but neither will be for too long. Di Lorenzo was a standout college tennis player at Ohio State, and was the No. 1 college player in the country during her final season. Paolini has struggled a bit, but she’s a talented youngster who should eventually find her place on the tour. Di Lorenzo has the better upside, but she is also much more comfortable on hard courts. Give me the Italian on the clay.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Amanda Anisimova vs Sabine Lisicki
Anisimova has been a revelation in recent months. What she has not done, though, is excel on clay… yet. This will be our first real chance to see the young American on the red dirt. Will her game translate well, or will she struggle with movement on the surface, as so many of her hard-hitting compatriots seem to do? Lisicki, on the other hand, is a seasoned veteran whose career has been tragically derailed by injuries. Lisicki has only played two tour-level matches this year, and neither indicates that she can stick with Anisimova, even if the American isn’t perfect.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
