The 2020 Ostrava Open has featured a dizzying number of line-up changes and last minute replacements. However, the first two days of competition have already featured thrilling clashes. The third day looks primed to deliver more of the same.
WTA Ostrava Open Day 3 Predictions Including Jelena Ostapenko vs Petra Martic
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Amanda Anisimova vs Elise Mertens
Head to head: 1-0 Mertens
Last year Elise Mertens handily defeated Amanda Anisimova at Indian Wells. That was before Anisimova’s greatest feat to date – a semifinal at the French Open at the expense of former champion Simona Halep. Anisimova and Mertens have both been playing well below their best. Mertens’ form has been on a steady decline. After a strong run to the final of Prague and the semifinals of the Western and Southern Open, she only managed the quarters in the US Open and Rome before losing in the third round of the French Open. The return to hard courts – a more natural fit for her game – should help, but she will need to start sharp against a dangerous opponent like Anisimova.
Prediction: Mertens in 3.
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Victoria Azarenka vs Barbora Krejčiková
Head to head: 1-0 Azarenka
Victoria Azarenka’s tennis has looked, at times, like it comes from another world. Or at least from another time. Her astonishing runs in New York and strong result in Rome were reminiscent of her 2012-2013 heyday. Azarenka’s endurance is slightly in question after her surprising early loss at the French Open, but the hard courts of Ostrava should suit her. If she picks up anywhere close to where she left off in New York, she’ll be hard to beat. Krejčiková, who is Czech, has been imperious so far in Ostrava but her greatest success has come in doubles. Azarenka’s superior court craft should see her safely through to the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2.
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Elina Svitolina vs Maria Sakkari
Head to head: 1-1
Maria Sakkari may have lost in the third round of the French Open, but at her two previous results on hard courts – the Western and Southern Open and the US Open – are clearer indicators of her current form. In both she pushed an in-form Serena Williams to three sets. Svitolina may be the top seed in Ostrava, but with one win a piece in their head to head, she’ll be lucky to find a way past the clean-hitting Greek.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3.
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Jelena Ostapenko vs Petra Martić
Head to head: 2-0 Martic
When Jelena Ostapenko won the French Open she did it on the back of go-for-broke power tennis. This year, though she lost early at the French, she showed how she has begun to match her innate power with more consistent point construction. Her more measured tennis and mature game were dangerous even on the historically slow courts at Roland Garros. On the hard courts of Ostrava, she can be deadly. Ostapenko has never beaten Martic, but the pair have not played for over a year. Their previous meeting, on grass in Birmingham was three tight sets. Ostapenko’s more mature tennis should overpower Martic, but not without a fight.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3.
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