The WTA Tour continues for a second straight week in Ohio, this time in Cleveland for the inaugural Tennis in the Land event. Cleveland may be a 3.5-hour drive from Cincinnati, but the courts should play pretty similarly. Expect a hot tournaments and fast courts as these women get in one final week of preparation for the US Open. Who do you think will win on Sunday in Cleveland?
WTA Cleveland Day 1 Predictions
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Irina-Camelia Begu
Begu had a strong start to the season but hasn’t played much since February. Injuries and health issues have kept her from reaching her potential this year. Alexandrova has had no such problems this year, and her ranking has stayed around the Top 30 consistently. If Begu was fully healthy and match-ready, I’d take the upset. But we can’t rely on that right now.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Martina Trevisan vs Johanna Konta
Konta has fallen a fair bit from her heights a few years ago, but she’s still a very strong player who likes faster courts. We may not expect her to battle into the final rounds of the US Open, but she shouldn’t lose to players like Trevisan in the United States.
Prediction: Konta in 2
Anna Danilina vs Caty McNally
Danilina has never won a Tour-level singles match in her career. That’s a tough stat to overcome while facing a good hard court player in her home state. McNally might hail from the Cincinnati area, but she’ll play well in Cleveland too.
Prediction: McNally in 2
Bernarda Pera vs Nadia Podoroska
Podoroska has yet to win a tournament, though she had a huge breakthrough at last year’s French Open. She hasn’t done anything as amazing since then, though she has consistently played well throughout the season. Pera will like these fast hard courts and could definitely pull off the upset if Podoroska isn’t careful.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
