It’s been an exciting week in Linz and the action continues on Wednesday in Linz. The matchups are fun and the quality is sure to be high as we watch the last tournament of the WTA season. Who will win and who will fall short? I try to give my best predictions here!
WTA Linz Day 2 Predictions
Oceane Dodin vs Jil Teichmann
Head to Head: never played
Oceane Dodin did well to qualify without losing a set. Her aggressive playing style works very well on the indoor hard courts of Linz. Jil Teichmann has struggled lately, losing three of her past four matches. However, Teichmann’s consistent lefty game is going to be tough for Dodin to deal with.
These two have never played before. This match will come down to whether or not Dodin can hit through Teichmann or not from the baseline. Dodin has an edge on serve, while Teichmann has the edge from the baseline. Given Teichmann’s recent struggles and how Dodin’s big serve and powerful groundstrokes works well on indoor hard courts, expect Dodin to pull the “upset” in Linz.
Prediction: Dodin in 3
Jana Fett vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Head to Head: never played
Jana Fett qualified for Linz, losing only one set in the process. Then, in her first round match against Tereza Martincova, she was up a set and a break before getting fortunate that Martincova retired. Aliaksandra Sasnovich’s aggressive game style works well in Linz. She comfortably beat Pera to reach the second round against Fett.
These two have never played before. Sasnovich’s game, like Dodin’s, translate very well to indoor hard courts, much more so than Fett’s. Look for Sasnovich’s power to be too much for Fett to handle. Sasnovich moves on to the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 2
Varvara Gracheva vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head to Head: never played
Varvara Gracheva took down Katarina Zavatska in straight sets to advance to the second round of Linz. Gracheva is finding her form on hard courts again after a strong US Open, making the third round. Ekaterina Alexandrova loves playing in Linz. She made the final in 2018 before falling to Camila Giorgi. In the first round of Linz this year, Alexandrova comfortably beat Katerina Siniakova in straight sets.
These two have never played before. This match will come down to whether or not Gracheva can handle Alexandrova’s power. Gracheva has a solid game, good variety, but Alexandrova will be the one dictating and her winners/unforced errors will determine the match. With a comfort at the venue and favorable playing conditions for her, look for Alexandrova to win without too much trouble.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Anhelina Kalinina vs Elise Mertens
Head to Head: never played
Anhelina Kalinina recovered from a set down in her first qualifying match in Linz against Isabella Shinikova. Then, in her last match in qualifying, she easy beat Katarina Zavatska in the final qualifying round, although Zavatska retired. Elise Mertens is playing in her first match of the tournament. However, Mertens is a good hard court player and should not have trouble adjusting to the surface in Linz.
These two have never played before. Kalinina doesn’t do anything spectacular, but has a decent serve and is solid from the baseline. However, Mertens is miles better from the baseline than Kalinina, able to hit with depth and controlled aggression at an elite level and will put Kalinina under extreme pressure during rallies. Expect Kalinina to crack quickly and often in those baseline exchanges. Mertens moves on easily.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
