The WTA Cincinnati Western & Southern Open–which is not taking place in Cincinnati at all this year–is up to Day 3 on Monday. Players are competing for the crown here and preparing for the US Open. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for all 14 matches including Madison Keys vs Ons Jabeur, Serena Williams vs Arantxa Rus and Naomi Osaka vs Karolina Muchova. Who will advance to the third round? Let’s take a look at the matches.
WTA Cincinnati Day 3 Predictions
Petra Kvitova vs Marie Bouzkova
Bouzkova has been playing well and is still improving. She’s not in the same class as Kvitova is yet, though. As long as the Czech isn’t too rusty in her return from the COVID break, she shouldn’t have too much trouble on a hard court here. Seeing as she played some exhibitions during the break, I’m not too concerned.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Vera Zvonareva vs Laura Siegemund
This could be a sneaky good match. Zvonareva is not quite where she once was, but she’s a solid player when her game is on. Siegemund is consistent and strong and should be able to win this match, but there could be some bumps along the way.
Prediction: Siegemund in 3
Bernarda Pera vs Dayana Yastremska
Yastremska is one of the game’s rising stars, while Pera has never quite found her way into the Top 50. The American will get there someday–she definitely has the talent for it–but that day is not quite here yet. Yastremska hasn’t quite seemed her best self since the COVID break, though, so don’t be too shocked to see an upset here.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Victoria Azarenka vs Caroline Garcia
Azarenka continues to try to find her top form again after she came back from having her child. She hasn’t been able to reach the elite levels since, but the talent is clearly still there. Garcia just took out Sloane Stephens in straight sets, but an out-of-form Stephens is always upset-prone, especially outside the biggest events. Azarenka’s first-round domination of Donna Vekic, though, suggests that she’s playing at a level right now that Garcia can’t touch.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
