We have an interesting Day 3 slate at the WTA Internationaux de Strasbourg. Bianca Andreescu looked great in her first match back from injury and will look to continue to win and get more matches under her belt. Jessica Pegula has been one of the exciting breakout players of late and she is in action against veteran Arantxa Rus. Finally, we have an all-American matchup between Shelby Rogers and Christina McHale. Enjoy the action in Strasbourg as the players prepare for the French Open. We also predict the rest of Tuesday’s matches in a separate article.
WTA Strasbourg Day 3 Predictions
Shelby Rogers vs Christina McHale
Head-to-head: first meeting
The all-American matchup showcases two players who seemed to be having similar careers but have gone in different directions the past few years. Rogers currently sits inside the Top 50 and holds a respectable 14-9 record on the year. McHale has struggled, with just four win to ten losses. McHale managed to qualify in Rome with an impressive first round qualifying win over Leylah Fernandez. That nice win was sandwiched between a run of several losses, with some of those coming at the ITF level. Rogers is not the most comfortable on clay but her game can adapt to any surface. She played well at the two Charleston events earlier this year, making the round of 16 and quarterfinal. McHale has simply not shown that she can compete at the top level recently, and Rogers will take care of business.
Prediction: Rogers in 2
Arantxa Rus vs Jessica Pegula
Head-to-head: 1-0 Pegula
Pegula has had an excellent start to 2021 and has even brought her successes to clay. She had not done much on the clay courts in the past, but she managed to reach the Rome quarterfinal without dropping a set, defeated Daria Kasatkina and Naomi Osaka along the way. Rus is a decent clay court player and could give Pegula some trouble, but she is starting to fade at age 30. It will be an interesting match with both players trying to hit through each other. Their lone match came on hard court which Pegula won convincingly but this will be a completely different match. Pegula is one of the hottest players on the WTA Tour right now and will continue her great play here.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Bianca Andreescu vs Maryna Zanevska
Head-to-head: first meeting
Andreescu was a big question mark coming into this week with her injuries and shakiness on clay. She picked up right where she left off with an easy 6-1 6-2 win in the first round. She is rewarded with another favorable matchup against World #259 Zanevska. This is the first WTA main draw appearance of 2021 for the Belgian, coming through qualifying and winner her first round match against a fellow qualifier. Andreescu is in complete control over the result here. Zanevska has not played a player near Andreescu’s quality, so as long as the Canadian limits her errors and doesn’t have any nagging injuries, she will win comfortably.
Prediction: Andreescu in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
