The 2020 tennis season is here! Auckland is one of the spots for next week’s WTA tournaments, where players will look to start the season on the right note! Who will win and who will fall? Read on to find out! Make sure to also read our other Day 1 WTA Auckland predictions.
WTA Auckland Day 1 Predictions
Jil Teichmann vs Valentina Ivanov
Head to Head: never played
Jil Teichmann battles Valentina Ivanov for a spot in the second round of Auckland. Jil Teichmann won the first two WTA titles of her career in 2019, both in clay court International events. Teichmann played well in the December indoor hard court event in Limoges, making the quarterfinals before losing to Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Valentina Ivanov is 18 years old from New Zealand and was playing Australian Open juniors last season. She’s currently World No. 816.
These two have never played before. Given the form Teichmann showed in Limoges, I don’t think she will face too tough of a test against Ivanov. Teichmann advances.
Prediction: Teichmann in 2
Rebecca Peterson vs Tamara Zidansek
Head to Head: 2-0 Zidansek
Rebecca Peterson takes on Tamara Zidansek for a spot in the Auckland second round. Peterson had a breakthrough season last year, winning the first two WTA titles of her career, both in hard court International events. Peterson is a very clean ball striker. Tamara Zidansek is much better on clay compared to hard courts. However, Zidansek’s heavy forehand can do damage on any surface.
Zidansek leads the head to head 2-0, with both matchups occurring in 2018. However, Peterson started to separate herself as the better player in 2019, and Zidansek’s December results in Dubai and Limoges are not promising. Peterson moves on.
Prediction: Peterson in 2
CiCi Bellis vs Jessica Pegula
Head to Head: never played
CiCi Bellis takes on Jessica Pegula in the first round of Auckland. CiCi Bellis is continuing her return from injury in Auckland. Bellis is a high level counterpuncher when healthy, but even with an offseason, how far she has come since suffering that injury is unknown. Jessica Pegula had the best season of her career last year, winning her first WTA title in Washington over Camila Giorgi. Pegula is a very clean, powerful ball striker when she’s on her game. However, Pegula only won one match following Washington last season.
These two have never played before. Given the uncertainty of Bellis’ form, and the fact that Pegula had an offseason to regroup, expect Pegula to get the win. Pegula moves on in Auckland.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
