There should be no shortage of entertaining action on Wednesday at the WTA Istanbul Cup. Amongst those in action are two Turkish players, who will be hoping that the familiar comforts of playing at home will inspire them to victory. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions across the board, including Eugenie Bouchard vs Viktoriya Tomova. But who will reach the second round?
WTA Istanbul Cup Wednesday Predictions
Ellen Perez vs Misaki Doi
Head-to-head: first meeting
Ellen Perez rarely plays on clay, but so far, her decision to come to Istanbul is paying off. The Australian qualified for the event with a good win over Britain’s Harriet Dart. But she will face a tough test up against Misaki Doi. The Japanese, who arrives in Istanbul after a first-round exit at the US Open, might take a while to find her rhythm on the clay, but this is a match she should win. Expect a rusty start to give way to a triumphant finish.
Prediction: Doi in 3
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Danka Kovinic vs Kateryna Bondarenko
Head-to-head: Kovinic 2-1 Bondarenko
Both players are coming back from playing in the United States. Danka Kovinic impressed there, reaching the second round at the US Open, where she took Magda Linette to a third set tie-break. The Montenegro-native was the better player for much of that match and should feel good about her performance. While it’s tough to predict how well the players will transfer their game to clay, it’s still early in Kateryna Bondarenko’s comeback from a second pregnancy hiatus and she hasn’t yet rediscovered her best tennis.
Prediction: Kovinic in 2
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Greet Minnen vs Tereza Martincova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Greet Minnen hasn’t won a match since the restart, entering the WTA Istanbul on a five-match losing streak. That streak looks likely to continue against Martincova. The Czech played a fine match in defeat against Petra Martic at the US Open and then recovered to negotiate the qualifying draw in Istanbul. That included a win over the in-form Elisabetta Cocciaretto and based on that performance, she should advance to the second round.
Prediction: Martincova in 3
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Caroline Garcia vs Cagla Buyukakcay
Head-to-head: Garcia 1-0
It would be a great feel-good story if Cagla Buyukakcay were to win this match. The Turk won this event back in 2016, just about out of nowhere. But she has not come close to repeating that feat in the four years since, playing predominantly at ITF-level. Caroline Garcia will have to contend with having only recently returned from the USA, but she will still be the favourite heading into this match, with her win over top seed Karolina Pliskova has surely given her real confidence. Buyukakcay has a history of surprising in her home country, but a set is the most she can get out of this.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
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