The sixth edition of the BRD Bucharest Open offers a great field of capable clay courters. Certainly an adjustment after the rigors of grass court play, Monday starts with the second seed Viktoria Kuzmova in action. Here’s a look at four opening round matches and predictions for who will move on to the second round of the Bucharest Open.
BRD Bucharest Open Day 1 Predictions
Dalila Jakupovic vs Viktoria Kuzmova
Head to head: Jakupovic 1-2 Kuzmova
The 21-year-old Slovakian comes into Bucharest as the #2 seed. Kuzmova hasn’t had a spectacular clay court result in 2019. Perhaps it’s no so much her level of play but the tough draw in Pairs, Rome and Madrid. It takes some top talent to bounce Kuzmova. Compatriot Dalila Jakupovic hasn’t had much success on any surface. It’s doubtful the veteran Jakupovic can find a path through the up and coming Kuzmova.
Prediction: Kuzmova in 2
Anhelina Kalinina vs Laura Siegemund
Head to head: Kalinina 1-0 Siegemund (Challenger)
Anhelina Kalinina has a win over Laura Siegemund, though I can’t say it means much. Their previous meeting was at a Challenger, and Monday’s clash will be the first meeting at pro level. Siegemund is hoping to further her 2018 Budapest quarterfinal result. Yet the German’s 9-7 record on clay this year, isn’t really a confidence building stat. Kalinina had a couple of good results in June, claiming the title in Prerov at an ITF level tourney. It’s a big ask for Kalinina to find the gameplan that can dismantle the number six seed, Siegemund. I expect a few interesting rallies, some hard fought points, but Siegemund should be moving on to the second round.
Prediction: Siegemund in 2
Tamara Zidansek vs Kaja Juvan
Head to head: Zidansek 1-0 Juvan (Challenger)
The only meeting between countrywomen Tamara Zidansek and Kaja Juvan was a semifinal clash at Bol, Croatia’s Challenger. It took three sets before Zidansek punched her ticket to the final where she defeated Sara Sorribes Tormo. An impressive result when you consider the 21-year-old had to play her way through Voegele and Bacsinszky. Zidansek is the number four seed in Bucharest.
Kaja Juvan can really impress. Yet, the 18-year-old cannot yet consistently turn in those performance. The younger Slovenian was able to steal a set from Serena Williams at Wimbledon. A genuine accomplishment in which she had many believing she could beat Serena. It’s that lack of consistency which eventually cost her that match. It’s safe to say Juvan is a future threat – but just not there yet.
Prediction: Zidansek in 3
Bethanie Mattek-Sands vs Ysaline Bonaventure
Head to head: First meeting
Bethanie Mattek-Sands is 0-3 in singles competition this year. After a horrific knee injury requiring multiple surgeries, Mattek-Sands will attempt to regain her singles form after not having played a match since Melbourne in January 2019. The American played Wimbledon in both womens and mixed doubles. Not an impressive result, but Mattek-Sands moved well. The knee injury seems behind her and she looks to be ready to complete. This will be Mattek-Sands’ first clay court match of the year.
Ysaline Bonaventure has a 6-5 record on clay. The majority of those wins were in qualifiers, followed by a first round loss. Last year in Bucharest, Bonaventure lost her opening round bid 7-6, 6-1 to Maryna Zanevska. The Belgium woman will find Mattek-Sands power, heavy serve and unpredictable play challenging, and most likely, impossible to overcome
Prediction: Mattek-Sands in two
Note: Mattek-Sands withdrew before her match and was replaced in the draw by Tereza Mrdeza.
