The remainder of the first round matches at the WTA Ostrava Open will take place on day three, whilst the second round commences. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for all five matches on schedule. But who will prevail?
WTA Ostrava Day 3 Predictions
Round of 32
Fiona Ferro vs Alison Riske
Head-to-head: first meeting
Alison Riske just fell short of winning her third career title in Portoroz last week, finishing runner-up to Jasmine Paolini. Nevertheless, it was an encouraging week for the American who has otherwise been struggling to find any type of decent form in 2021. Riske kicks off proceedings on day three in Ostrava where she takes on French qualifier Fiona Ferro. Ferro laboured through her opening qualifying match, beating Oksana Kalashnikova 3-6 7-6 6-1 before smashing Anna Blinkova 6-1 6-1. Riske will have little time to adjust to the different conditions in Ostrava, whilst Ferro has already played a couple of matches this week. Ferro should have the slight edge given the circumstances in what is otherwise a fairly even match-up.
Prediction: Ferro in 3
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Jelena Ostapenko vs Anna Blinkova
Head-to-head: Ostapenko 1-0 Blinkova
Jelena Ostapenko arrives in Ostrava fresh from a runner-up showing in Luxembourg where she narrowly missed out on successfully defending her title, losing to Clara Tauson in three sets in the final. The Latvian’s form has been typically erratic in 2021, strong showings have been sandwiched in between early round exits. Ostapenko should at least avoid an opening round exit in Ostrava, but even that’s no guarantee. Ostapenko is ranked almost 100 places above her opening round opponent Anna Blinkova. Blinkova moved into the main draw as a lucky loser after winning just two games in her final round qualifying match against Fiona Ferro.
Blinkova has managed just four tour-level wins in 2021 but is definitely more talented than those results suggest. The 23-year-old will have nothing to lose against Ostapenko and has the game to push the Latvian harder than most would expect as she looks to make the most of her second chance in the tournament. Ostapenko is due for a let-down match with a quick turnaround between tournaments, Blinkova could capitalize.
Prediction: Blinkova in 3
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Round of 16
(1) Iga Swiatek vs Yulia Putintseva
Head-to-head: first meeting
Yulia Putintseva survived an epic opening round clash with China’s Shuai Zhang in the first round at the WTA Ostrava Open. Putintseva fought from a set and 2-5 down, saving match point at 4-5 in the second set before winning 5-7 7-6 6-4 in a match lasting just under three and a half hours. Putintseva’s reward is a clash with the top seeded Iga Swiatek, a tough task for the Kazakh at the best of times, even tougher 24 hours after one of the longest matches of her career.
Swiatek has the firepower to blast Putintseva off the court, the Pole should dominate the rallies with her stronger groundstrokes and greater aggression. Putintseva would need to be at her absolute best to make this competitive, that seems unlikely given she is bound to be limited after such an exhausting win yesterday.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
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(2) Petra Kvitova vs Anastasia Potapova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Anastasia Potapova will be seeking her second career victory over a top 10 opponent when she takes on world number 10 Petra Kvitova on Wednesday. Potapova is having one of her better weeks on tour in a while. The talented but inconsistent 20-year-old moved through the qualifying stage with wins over Stefanie Voegele (3-6 6-2 6-2) and Ekaterina Alexandrova (7-5 3-1 Ret.) before clearing the first round of the main draw with a 6-2 7-6 win over Caroline Garcia. This is probably where the Russian’s journey in Ostrava comes to an end, Kvitova is undoubtedly a class above and will have the support of the home crowd.
Don’t expect too many long rallies here, Kvitova and Potapova both play first-strike tennis, the quick indoor conditions will further aid their explosive tennis. Kvitova should be too strong, but there is the possibility that Potapova catches Kvitova cold given this is her first match of the tournament. Potapova is playing well enough this week to suggest she could make this competitive but the class of Kvitova should prevail in the end.
Prediction: Kvitova in 3
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(9) Paula Badosa vs Anett Kontaveit
Head-to-head: first meeting
Paula Badosa is one of several players fighting for one of the last spots at the WTA Finals. Badosa’s breakthrough season has been truly impressive, the Spaniard will be keen for one last push after a disappointing second round loss at the US Open to Varvara Gracheva. Badosa kick-started her WTA Ostrava Open campaign by avenging her loss to Gracheva, flipping the script to claim a comfortable 6-2 6-2 victory over the Russian. The 23-year-old will need to be at her best if she is to go any further this week when she takes on an in-form Anett Kontaveit on Wednesday.
Anett Kontaveit has found some of her best form over the last month. The Estonian went on a 7-match winning streak which saw her win her second career title in Cleveland before reaching the fourth round at the US Open. Kontaveit made a strong start to the week in Ostrava with a 6-4 6-4 win over Sorana Cirstea. This is a difficult match to predict, fine margins will decide this one in what should be a very even match-up. I’ll give the slight edge to Badosa given she has been extremely consistent this season, Kontaveit’s best is possibly better, but form is fleeting for her.
Prediction: Badosa in 3
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