We have predictions for all of the day 1 matches at the WTA Cincinnati, Western & Southern Open, as Yulia Putintseva, Barbora Krejcikova, and Petra Kvitova take to the courts on the opening day of this key tournament ahead of the US Open.
Maria Sakkari vs Angelique Kerber
Kerber leads the h2h 2-1, but Sakkari did win their match early this season. Sakkari is on a strong run with a 4-2 record in recent weeks, and a Wimbledon semifinal. Kerber is playing fantastic tennis as well though, the German player went 11-2 on grass courts and is looking to extend that form to hard courts. This quality matchup should go the distance, I’ll back Kerber to extend her h2h edge. Kerber in 3
Danielle Collins vs Shelby Rogers
Shelby Rogers always seems up for an upset or two, especially in bigger events, but it’s just hard to see it here. Even with a disappointing finish in Montreal last week, Collins is just in such good and consistent form. It will take a lot to upset the former NCAA standout, and I don’t think Rogers is it. Collins in 2
Yulia Putintseva vs Shuai Zhang
Putintseva is in solid form right now. She has a tendency to be inconsistent, so you never really know for sure with her. But the Kazakh looks strong and should like these faster hard courts. I expect her to move on. Putintseva in 2
Aliaksandra Sasnovich vs Heather Watson
This should be a fun early-round match. Both players have good potential, though neither often finds it for long stretches of times. Expect lots of longer rallies in this one, as neither player quite has the game to beat the other. Whoever makes fewer errors will win. It will be close, but I’ll lean Sasnovich on that. Sasnovich in 3
Main Photo from Getty Images
