So far so good for the seeds in Stuttgart. Belinda Bencic made it through her first round match comfortably on Monday. On Tuesday the likes of Petra Kvitova and Aryna Sabalenka followed suit. There are seven matches in total on the schedule and as ever we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match across the board, including Ashleigh Barty vs Laura Siegemund. But who will advance?
WTA Stuttgart Grand Prix Day Three Predictions
Tamara Korpatsch vs Karolina Pliskova
Head-to-head: first meeting
None of the top ten players on the tour is in need of a decent run of tennis more than Karolina Pliskova. The former world #1 has been embarrassed by Jessica Pegula on several occasions this year and has done little of note so far in 2021. The Czech’s inability to cover the court has been put on display for all to see so far this year and it is not a good look for one of the dominant forces in the women’s game over the last five years.
Tamara Korpatsch is a kind first-round draw for Pliskova. The German is in the main draw as a lucky loser and has never been ranked inside the top 100 on the women’s tour. This is as good an opportunity as Pliskova is likely to get to find some form and right ship. If she fails to do so she will likely find herself outside the top ten for the first time since 2016. Pliskova should advance here, but keep an eye out for her in the coming days when she faces tougher opposition. This may well be a catastrophic year for the Czech #1.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
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Jelena Ostapenko vs Stefanie Voegele
Head-to-head: Voegele 2-0 Ostapenko
Stefanie Voegele is a more than capable tennis player and is certainly in with a chance in this match. However, that chance is entirely dependant on which Jelena Ostapenko shows up to their match. If the French Open champion Latvian turns up, Voegele will be lucky to win games, let alone a set. However, far too often that player is missing and instead we see an error-ridden and inconsistent Ostapenko who cannot string wins together on a consistent basis.
Tennis matches are often won by the player most willing and able to dictate, but Ostapenko is one of the players who often proves the exception to that particularly rule. That being said, she looks to be in good position to perform well at the WTA Stuttgart Grand Prix given the fact she has little to show by way of results in 2021. She should come through this match comfortably and may well go deep in Stuttgart
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
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Marie Bouzkova vs Marketa Vondrousova
Head-to-head: first meeting
An all-Czech affair could well be the match of the day in Stuttgart. Both players are young, immensely talented and should become household names on the tour in years to come. That being said, Marketa Vondrousova is the better clay court player of the two. The lefty has immense variety, an awkward playing style and a wonderful drop shot that makes her a tough beat on the red dirt.
Marie Bouzkova is talented enough to make headway on any surface. She is potent on both wings and is a great mover which will stand her in good stead on clay. That being said, Vondrousova has too much in her arsenal on this surface. Her variety in combination with her heavy forehand should be enough for the win here.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
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Petra Kvitova vs Maria Sakkari
Head-to-head: Kvitova 2-2 Sakkari
Quite possibly the match of the day if both these players play to their potential. Petra Kvitova will need to keep a lid on her unforced errors if she is to best someone with the defensive abilities of Maria Sakkari. The Greek is a brilliant mover on any surface, but she is particularly comfortable on the clay. Her ability to make opponents play an extra ball is a useful tool. When combined with her newfound aggression and ball striking, it makes Sakkari a very tough opponent to best.
If Kvitova is to win, she will need to redline her game consistently enough to win two of three sets, and she may well not be able to against Sakkari. The Czech certainly possesses the advantage in terms of firepower. However, Sakkari is incredibly good at making opponents play an extra ball and has become very comfortable finishing points early when the opportunity is there. This will be tight and may well go the distance, but Sakkari’s consistency should see her through here.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
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