An exciting week of tennis in Monterrey continues on Wednesday with fun second-round matchups. With the quarterfinals at stake, who will rise to the occasion and who will fall short? Read on to find out our picks, including Leylah Fernandez vs Sloane Stephens.
WTA Monterrey Day 3 Predictions
Kateryna Bondarenko vs Rebecca Peterson
Head to Head: never played
Kateryna Bondarenko did well to come back from a set deficit against Sara Sorribes Tormo to win in three sets. Rebecca Peterson recovered from a set and a break deficit herself, taking down Kateryna Kozlova to reach the second round. These two have never played before. While Peterson has had a rough season so far, her base level is higher than Bondarenko’s. Look for the win over Kozlova to spark Peterson’s season and she will beat Bondarenko to get to the quarterfinals in Monterrey.
Prediction: Peterson in 2
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova vs Marie Bouzkova
Head to Head: never played
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova came through qualifying without losing a set and then beat Venus Williams in the first round from a set down. Marie Bouzkova took down lucky loser Kristina Kucova in straight sets. These two have never played before. Schmiedlova is playing very well this week, counterpunching at a very high level. While Bouzkova is a very consistent player, Schmiedlova has a little more firepower than Bouzkova and can attack a little more easily. Expect Schmiedlova to pick up a tough win in the second round of Monterrey.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 3
Yafan Wang vs Astra Sharma
Head to Head: never played
Yafan Wang picked up her first win of the season in the first round, defeating Lara Arruabarrena without dropping a set. Lucky loser Astra Sharma picked up a comfortable win over Nina Stojanovic in the first round of Monterrey. These two have never played before. Sharma has a touch more power than Wang, but is significantly more erratic from the baseline. While Sharma did well to take advantage of her lucky loser position in the draw, Wang will advance to the Monterrey quarterfinals.
Prediction: Wang in 2
Leylah Fernandez vs Sloane Stephens
Head to Head: never played
Leylah Fernandez backed up her run to the final in Acapulco well, beating Stefanie Voegele in straight sets. Sloane Stephens did well to get her first win of the season over Emma Navarro in three sets. These two have never played before. Fernandez uses her lefty forehand very effectively to dictate play, but surely must be feeling some fatigue from her long week last week. Stephens did not look very convincing against Navarro, but she seems motivated this week and will not give Fernandez a bunch of easy points. Look for Stephens to wear down Fernandez to reach the final eight in Monterrey.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
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