Day 2 of WTA Auckland is here and we have a great slate of matches on tap! 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams takes the court, as does 2018 Australian Open winner Caroline Wozniacki. Who will win and who will fall at the WTA Auckland? Read on to find out! We also have predictions for four other matches, including Amanda Anisimova’s opening match.
WTA Auckland Day 2 Predictions
Alize Cornet vs Ysaline Bonaventure
Head to Head: never played
Alize Cornet battles Ysaline Bonaventure in the opening round of Auckland. Alize Cornet is known for her high-level counterpunching and defense. Ysaline Bonaventure, who is coming into the tournament as a lucky loser after losing to Camila Giorgi in the final qualifying round, tries dictate play with her heavy lefty forehand.
These two have never played before. Bonaventure’s forehand, while heavy on spin, does not cut through the court very much. She will struggle to hit through Cornet and it’s very questionable if she will have the rally tolerance to hang with Cornet in long rallies. Cornet moves on.
Prediction: Cornet in 2
Laura Siegemund vs Alison Van Uytvanck
Head to Head: 2-0 Van Uytvanck
Laura Siegemund goes up against Alison Van Uytvanck in the first round of Auckland. Laura Siegemund is known for the variety in her game and her fiery personality on the court. Alison Van Uytvanck has decently powerful groundstrokes and is good at the net. Expect all areas of the court to be utilized when these two players battle.
Van Uytvanck leads the head to head 2-0, but these two have not played since 2012. While Siegemund’s changes of pace and movement will frustrate Van Uytvanck, Van Uytvanck is the better player and will prevail here
Prediction: Van Uytvanck in 3
Caroline Wozniacki vs Paige Mary Hourigan
Head to Head: never played
Caroline Wozniacki and Paige Mary Hourigan battle in the first round of Auckland. Caroline Wozniacki, who is set to retire at the end of the 2020 Australian Open, emphasizes consistency in her game. Wozniacki’s backhand is also one of the best in the world. Hourigan, a wild card, does not have a lot of experience at the WTA level. However, she will have the home crowd behind her, as she is from New Zealand.
These two have never played before. Wozniacki is the much better player and should wear Hourigan down from the baseline. Wozniacki advances easily.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
Serena Williams vs Camila Giorgi
Head to Head: 4-0 Williams
The first round of Auckland features Serena Williams going up against Camila Giorgi. One could write a book on all of Serena Williams’ strengths as a tennis player. Her serve is unbelievable, groundstrokes flawless, and net game at a high level, as well. Camila Giorgi, who qualified for this tournament, has an extremely aggressive mindset to her groundstrokes. Giorgi goes huge on her groundstrokes and plays with very little margins on her shots.
Williams leads the head to head 4-0. Williams has only dropped one set, which was in their last match, when Williams won in three sets to make the 2018 Wimbledon semifinals. However, in a warmup tournament like this, one never knows if Williams will be completely mentally engaged. Giorgi is good enough to take advantage of mental lapses by Williams. Williams wins, but Giorgi makes the match close.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
