The North American summer hard-court swing is set to get underway in earnest as the WTA tour arrives in Toronto for the Rogers Cup. With the US Open now less than a month away, the field will surely be desperate to gather some momentum before the final Major of the year. But who will book their place in the second round?
Toronto Rogers Cup Day One Predictions
Jennifer Brady vs Kristina Mladenovic
Head-to-head: Mladenovic 1-0 Brady
If Kristina Mladenovic’s second meeting with the American Jennifer Brady is anything like their first, the Rogers Cup crowd are going to be in for a treat. In that previous clash, which came in 2017, Mladenovic just edged out Brady 3-6 6-3 9-7 in the first round at Roland Garros. But the Frenchwoman is not the same player she was two years ago. She has struggled to find any real consistency of late, though she did reach the quarterfinals at the Washington Open. Brady, meanwhile, impressed in coming through two rounds of qualifying without dropping a set. Expect her to continue that good form and avenge her loss in Paris.
Prediction: Brady in 3
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Julia Goerges vs Polona Hercog
Head-to-head: Goerges 5-1 Hercog
After a career-best 2018, Germany’s Julia Goerges has struggled somewhat to kick on this year, despite some good results, including a runner-up showing at the Birmingham Classic. But having won five of her six contests with Polona Hercog, this will surely be a match she can approach with confidence. That said, Hercog will be match-tough after coming through the qualifying and has the game to cause Goerges problems. Ultimately, however, Goerges’ considerable power, which will be rewarded on the pacey, high-bouncing courts in Toronto, looks certain to prove decisive.
Prediction: Goerges in 3
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Petra Martic vs Francesca Di Lorenzo
Head-to-head: first meeting
Croatia’s Petra Martic has gone from strength to strength in recent months and will surely be targeting a good run at the Rogers Cup, with a top 16 seeding at the US Open far from out of the question for the world #21. Her opening opponent in Toronto, the USA’s Francesca Di Lorenzo, is comparatively lacking in experience, but played some very good tennis in the qualifying, beating Astra Sharma and Ons Jabeur to reach the main draw. But Martic marks a real step up in quality and it doesn’t look to be one the 22-year-old Di Lorenzo is ready to make.
Prediction: Martic in 2
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Belinda Bencic vs Anastasia Potapova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Belinda Bencic has threatened to put together an excellent season at times this year, only for her momentum to stall. But back on the North American hard courts where she has played some of the best tennis of her career, she may yet make a real impact. She will need to be sharp from the off against the talented young Russian Anastasia Potapova, who battled through the qualifying. If Bencic does play to the best of her abilities, however, it is hard to see Potapova derailing her Rogers Cup campaign.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
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