The WTA tour will return to Sicily for the first time since 2013 when the Palermo Ladies Open kicks off in earnest on Monday. An exciting day of clay-court tennis looks to be in the offing at the scenic Country Time Club. But who will advance?
Palermo Ladies Open Day One Predictions
Lara Arruabarrena vs Tamara Zidansek
Head-to-head: Arruabarrena 1-0 Zidansek
Arruabarrena won this pair’s only previous meeting comfortably earlier this year on her way to the semifinals in Bogota, but the 27-year-old has had little success since. She currently finds herself ranked outside the world’s top 150 and has scored just a handful of wins in recent weeks as she has struggled for fitness. Zidansek, meanwhile, has scored some fine wins of late and looks to be comfortable on the clay. Expect the Slovenian to dispatch her opponent, who lacks match sharpness, without encountering too many problems.
Prediction: Zidansek in 2
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Arantxa Rus vs Amandine Hesse
Head-to-head: Rus 2-0 Hesse
Rus has struggled to live up to the potential she showed as a junior, but the Dutchwoman has nonetheless put together a solid enough career and will surely be targeting a deep run at the Palermo Ladies Open. She will be encouraged by having beaten Hesse in both their previous meetings, which also came on the clay. But Hesse will be match-tough after coming through the qualifying, which will count in her favour. But will it be enough to see her over the line against an opponent she has never taken a set off? Probably not.
Prediction: Rus in 3
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Giulia Gatto-Monticone vs Antonia Lottner
Head-to-head: Gatto-Monticone 1-0 Lottner
Gatto-Monticone may not be a household name, but the 31-year-old wildcard will surely have taken inspiration from the exploits of her compatriot Martina di Giuseppi, who came through the qualifying to reach a first tour-level semifinal at the Bucharest Open last week. She will, however, have her work cut out against the young gun Lottner. The German may not be in the best of form, but she is undeniably a better player than Gatto-Monticone, who is yet to break into the world’s top 150. The support of the home crowd may help Gatto-Monticone to keep this one close, but ultimately it is hard to look past Lottner’s greater quality.
Prediction: Lottner in 3
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Jessica Pieri vs Aleksandra Krunic
Head-to-head: first meeting
World #354 Pieri did superbly to battle through the qualifying, defeating Daniela Seguel of Chile and the Brazilian Laura Pigossi to reach the main draw. But she will now face a real step up in quality against Serbia’s Krunic. Fortunately for the Italian qualifier, her opponent has been struggling badly for wins lately. With the confidence she has gained from her run through the qualifying and the backing of the crowd at the Palermo Ladies Open, Pieri could just spring a real shock on day one.
Prediction: Pieri in 3
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