The first day of action at the WTA St Petersburg Ladies Trophy saw just three singles matches played. However, the tournament gets under way in earnest on day two, with eight matches on the schedule. Several home favourites are set take to the court on Tuesday, but who will advance?
WTA St Petersburg Ladies Trophy Day Two Predictions
Jaqueline Cristian vs Vera Lapko
Head-to-head: first meeting
Both of these players will be hoping to take advantage of what looks to be a kind first-round draw. Vera Lapko made the main draw by virtue of her protected ranking of world #120, whilst Jacqueline Cristian had to come through the qualifying. She should have a slight advantage because of that, with the Romanian having already played two matches at the WTA St Petersburg Ladies Trophy.
Still, on paper there is little to separate the two. Both are young players who will be looking to make strides towards the top 100 this year. Of the two, it is Cristian who has the bigger game, with the qualifier able to hit the ball hard and flat, particularly off her forehand wing. That power should be enough to see her through here. Lapko was unimpressive in Lyon and there is little to suggest that she will be able to raise her game here.
Prediction: Cristian in 3
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Kirsten Flipkens vs Katerina Siniakova
Head-to-head: Flipkens 1-0 Siniakova
This should be an intriguing battle and could well turn into one of the matches of the day. Both players have all-court games and are comfortable coming to the net to finish points off early. Kirsten Flipkens is now approaching the end of her career, but the former-Wimbledon semifinalist still has the game to cause opponents problems on her day. However, she has only picked up one win on the WTA Tour so far this year and has only played three matches in total.
Fortunately for her, Katerina Siniakova is similarly short on wins and form in 2021. The Czech also has just one win to her name in five matches played this year. However, she has a stronger serve and more power than Flipkens. If she is able to harness it effectively and deal with the variety the Belgian will offer, then she should win here. Flipkens might lead the head-to-head, but expect Siniakova to even things up on day two in St Petersburg
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
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Margarita Gasparyan vs Kristina Mladenovic
Head-to-head: Gasparyan 1-1 Mladenovic
This match is a repeat of their meeting in Lyon two weeks ago. Before the match, it appeared that Mladenovic’s inconsistency could cost her, but the Frenchwoman proved the doubters wrong to record a dominant straight-sets victory. In fact, she showed enough in that match to suggest that she might be able to resurrect her singles career in 2021. She certainly appears to be more focused and has lost her way in matches less frequently.
Gasparyan played some good tennis in Lyon as well, but the Russian is still a long way from her best. That fact was exposed by Mladenovic in France and it is hard to see what has changed to ensure a different outcome on the hard courts at the WTA St Petersburg Ladies Trophy. This one may well be a closer affair, with Gasparyan likely to be boosted by playing on home soil, but Mladenovic should be the player to come through it.
Prediction: Mladenovic in 3
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Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Cagla Buyukakcay
Head-to-head: Pavlyuchenkova 1-0 Buyukakcay
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has, for the most part, been a mainstay in the top 50 on the WTA Tour since 2008. The Russian also has three WTA Tour titles on indoor hard courts and traditionally plays well in her home country. In contrast, Buyukakcay has finished inside the top 100 just once and has just one WTA title to her name, with that triumph coming on the clay of Istanbul in 2016.
In truth, the Turk has never looked like reaching those levels again in the years since. As a result, if Pavlyuchenkova plays anywhere near her best she should win this. In fact, even if she does not play her best, she will still most likely have the beating of Buyukakcay. The match will most certainly be on her racket and it would be a surprise were she not to take advantage of that.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
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