The top seeds at the WTA Hungarian Grand Prix have looked in fine form so far in Budapest. Tournament favourite Yulia Putintseva has already booked her place in the quarterfinals of this event. On Thursday, the second and third seeds – Danielle Collins and Bernarda Pera respectively – will look to secure their spots in the final eight as well. We take a look at how they, as well as the others in action on Thursday, should fair in out WTA Hungarian Grand Prix day four predictions.
WTA Hungarian Grand Prix Day 4 Predictions
Bernarda Pera vs Anhelina Kalinina
Head-to-head: 1 – 0 Pera
This could well be the most competitive match of the day in Budapest. Both players are ranked inside the top 100 and are capable of brilliant tennis. Pera is more comfortable on clay and is a real threat to anyone on the tour when she gets going. Her forehand is particularly dangerous. Kalinina is a dangerous player in her own right and has looked good this year for the most part. Pera leads the head-to-head 1-0, but that was two years ago on hard courts and so doesn’t count for too much. However, I expect a similar result here with Pera just taking it in what should be a tight match.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Anna Schmiedlova vs Dalma Galfi
Head-to-head: 1 – 0 Schmeidlova
On paper this should be a comfortable win for Schmiedlova. The Slovakian was one of the better players on the tour not so long ago and is certainly capable of playing some brilliant tennis. However, in Dalma Galfi she faces a hometown favourite in blistering form on clay. The Hungarian has won 10 of her last 11 matches on the surface in what has been a brilliant run over the last few weeks before and after Wimbledon. With that in mind, I’m going to pick Galfi secure the win here and move on.
Prediction: Galfi in 2
Aliaksandra Sasnovich vs Panna Udvardy
Head-to-head: First meeting
Again this is a meeting in which Sasnovich should be the clear favourite were it not for the form of her opponent. Panna Udvardy has won eight of her last ten matches on clay and comes into the WTA Hungarian Grand Prix in blistering form. However, after languishing on the tour and falling outside the top 100, Sasnovich appears to be rediscovering her mojo and is making a move back up the ranks. At her best there are few the Belarusian can’t trouble. If she is anywhere near that Thursday then expect her to win relatively comfortable here.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 2
Danielle Collins vs Reka Jani
Head-to-head: First meeting
Collins is the overwhelming favourite here and it is hard to see past her winning comfortably here. She is the better player by all accounts and will feel confident after a good return to the tour following a stomach ulcer that sidelined her. Reka Jani has never cracked the top 100 in the women’s game. She is also a fair way off doing so here, entering the tournament ranked #186 in the world. Collins should dominate this match pretty comfortably and move on to the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Collins 3
Main Photo from Getty.
