WTA players make their way to New York a week early this year. Before the US Open in Queens, players are heading to the Bronx to get ready. Who will advance when play starts Sunday? Here are our thoughts.
WTA Bronx Open Day 1 Predictions
Veronika Kudermetova vs Bernarda Pera
Head to head: Kudermetova 2-1 Pera
Veronika Kudermetova has had some success on hard courts in 2019, including a 125k title in Guadalajara, Mexico. She comes into this tournament with a 16-6 record on hard courts. Last year in New York, the Russian lost in the qualifiers and will begin her campaign against American Bernarda Pera.
Bernarda Pera has a shaky record on hard courts, winning less than 30% of her matches. She lost her opening round this week in Cincinnati against Kudermetova, 6-2, 6-3. Perhaps this recent loss to Kudermetova will inspire the American. Yet, given Kudermetova’s commanding win and solid serving, it won’t be easy.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Kateryna Kozlova vs Alize Cornet
Head to head: Kozlova 0-1 Cornet
I’m not sure how much weight I’d give the head to head, since Kozlova and Cornet last played in 2015. Both had a similar result in Cincinnati, losing in qualifiers, and both lost last year in New York in their opening rounds. Identical results which I’m sure neither player wanted. This should be an opportunity for Cornet to gain some momentum heading into the US Open. If the Frenchwoman can stay focused and give the ball some margin, she should be able to close this out in straight sets.
Prediction: Cornet in 2
Camila Giorgi vs Margarita Gasparyan
Head to head: Giorgi 1-1 Gasparyan
Camila Giorgi starts her campaign against Margarita Gasparyan. The hard-hitting Italian has a tremendous run in New York, losing in the finals to Jessie Pegula. Giorgi seems to go for broke on every shot. It’s an all or nothing style that yields great results when she’s on and early exits when she’s not. Both Toronto and Cincinnati didn’t yield good results as Giorgi lost in straight sets in her opening bid.
It’s been a mediocre 2019 for Margarita Gasparyan, with a 14-14 record. Rebecca Peterson prevented her from getting into the main draw in Cincinnati. The Russian lost in qualifiers 6-1, 7-5. Yet, in Giorgi’s and Gasparyan’s last meeting, it was a three set battle, which shows Gasparyan can certainly push the Italian.
Giorgi should have some confidence against Gasparyan. Her power will put Gasparyan on her back foot for at least a few games. But, if the Giorgi balls are flying out, expect Gasparyan to seize her opportunities.
Prediction: Gasparyan in 3
Aliaksandra Sasnovich vs Polona Hercog
Head to head: Sasnovich 1-1 Hercog
Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Polona Hercog recently squared off at the French Open. It took three sets before Hercog could exit the Belarussian. And, the third set took 14 games to decide. I expect we’ll see a very competitive and tight match. Hercog has turned in some exceptional performances this year, including a title in Lugano. It will no doubt be a battle but I give the edge to Hercog whose form and fight is a bit above Sasnovich.
Prediction: Hercog in 3
