So far so good for the seeds in Luxembourg. Top two seeds Belinda Bencic and Elise Mertens are yet to play. Nonetheless, the rest of the eight seeds are still in the tournament at time of writing. Bencic will be hoping for a strong week here after losing to Emma Raducanu in the quarterfinals at the 2021 US Open. The Brit played superb tennis but Bencic will surely view that match as a glorious opportunity wasted. That being said, she is still in great form and is likely the favourite to lift the trophy here. Who could hang around long enough to try and stop her? Well, we take a look at exactly that in our WTA Luxembourg Open Day 3 predictions.
WTA Luxembourg Open Day 3 Predictions
Shuai Zhang vs Marie Bouzkova
Head-to-head: 2 – 0 Zhang
On recent form Shuai Zhang should walk this match. She’s split her last ten matches down the middle with five wins and five losses to her name. By contrast, Bouzkova has won just one of her last ten outings. The Czech is a promising young talent with no obvious weaknesses to her game so her poor run is somewhat surprising. Still, it’s hard to ignore given her opponent here is a more than competent tennis player herself. If Bouzkova rediscovers her game this could go either way but there is nothing to suggest she will. If that proves to be the case then Zhang should advance relatively comfortably here.
Prediction: Zhang in 2
Liudmilla Samsonova vs Oceane Dodin
Head-to-head: 1 – 1
This should be a great watch. Both players hit a big ball and are very aggressive from the baseline. Liudmilla Samsonova is finally having the breakout year many feel she has been due for some time now. The Russian is now inside the top 50 in the women’s game and looks a certainty to stay there given her level in recent months. Her opponent, Oceane Dodin, is in quite good form herself and has managed to force her way back inside the top 100. However, the former budding star remains too inconsistent to back against an opponent of Samsonova’s quality. The Russian is a great mover and will make Dodin play too many balls for her to keep her aggressive game under control. This could go the distance but I expect the Russian to emerge victorious even if it does.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
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Mandy Minella vs Alize Cornet
Head-to-head: 1 – 0 Cornet
Mandy Minella will surely be hoping to match up with Varvara Gracheva as often as possible in the future after her performance in the last round. The home favorite in Luxembourg again handed the Russian a straight sets defeat and booked her place in this match as a result. She now faces an experienced campaigner in Alize Cornet. The French woman has had a solid but unspectacular year and remains a tough opponent on her day. Still, confidence and a home crowd advantage count for a lot and Minella has both. If ever the stage was set for an upset it is here. Back Minella to advance but she’ll likely need three sets to do it.
Prediction: Minella in 3
Marketa Vondrousova vs Jana Fett
Head-to-head: First meeting
Marketa Vondrousova did very well to dismiss a tricky opponent in Alison Van Uytvanck to get her campaign underway in Luxembourg, She now faces what will likely be an easier test in the form of Jana Fett. The Croatian has been ranked outside the top 200 since 2018 and is outgunned in all aspects in this match. Vondrousova continues to play good tennis and is one of the favourites to take home this trophy. A comfortable win here should ensure she remains fresh for more challenging opposition in later rounds. Back the Czech to move on in straight sets here barring an upset the likes of which I can’t bring myself to give credit too.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Clara Tauson
Head-to-head: 1 – 0 Tauson
This matchup has history to it. Clara Tauson dismantled Ekaterina Alexandrova in Lyon earlier this year on the way to her first WTA title. The Russian was the top seed in that tournament and you can guarantee that the loss stung and that she will be keen to avenge it. However, that is easier said than done. Tauson has gone on to prove she is a legitimate young star on the women’s tour and will like her chances of winning again here. Both hit a hard, flat ball that will be rewarded on the quick indoor courts of Luxembourg. This one may well come down to who serves better and in that case I have to give the edge to Tauson. Alexandrova has a great serve when it’s on but it misfires often and she can’t afford it to here. This should be a tighter match than their meeting earlier in the year, but I don’t expect a change in the end result.
Prediction: Tauson in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
