The remainder the of the second round matches will be completed on day 4 of the Ostrava Open. Belinda Bencic and Maria Sakkari will be in action for the first time this week, each facing potentially troublesome opponents, will they survive?
WTA Ostrava Day 4 Predictions
(4) Maria Sakkari vs Jelena Ostapenko
H2H: 1-1.
Maria Sakkari will be in action for the first time since her US Open semifinal showing where she disappointingly crumbled in straight sets to Emma Raducanu. It has been a fantastic year for the Greek having now reached two major semifinals, putting herself into a fantastic position to reach the WTA Finals for the first time in her career as she has reached a career high ranking of #12. The 26-year-old will have a tough task in her first match of the week in Ostrava against an in-form Jelena Ostapenko. The Latvian arrived in Ostrava fresh from a runner-up showing in Luxembourg and quickly rolled through her opening round match with a 6-4 6-0 win over Anna Blinkova.
The head-to-head between the pair is tied at 1-1, it was Sakkari who prevailed 6-1 3-6 6-2 at the 2019 Australian Open in their most recent meeting. I suspect Sakkari wins in this match-up more often than not thanks to her greater consistency. Sakkari plays with more margin to her game, but she also has weapons of her own to hurt Ostapenko. I’ll stick with Sakkari, she’s good enough to adapt to the conditions quick enough to grind this one out.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
(7) Elena Rybakina vs (Q) Magda Linette
H2H: First meeting.
Elena Rybakina made a strong start to her Ostrava campaign with a commanding 6-1 6-3 win over the flashy Veronika Kudermetova. The Kazakh faces another potentially dangerous opponent in the second round when she takes on Polish qualifier Magda Linette. Linette’s form so far this week suggests that Rybakina might not have things all her own way. Linette cruised through a relatively weak qualifying field with straight set wins over Rutuja Bhosale (6-0 6-1) and Katarzyna Kawa (6-1 6-2). Linette carried her form into the main draw where she cleared the first stage thanks to a 6-2 7-6 win against Oceane Dodin.
Rybakina has the power advantage in this match-up, both behind her serve and from the baseline. However, Linette has her own set of strengths to counter the Kazakh. Linette absorbs and redirects power very well; the Pole is more versatile and a better athlete around the court. If Rybakina maintains a high level throughout the entire match, then she probably wins. If not, Linette is good enough to capitalize. I’ll go for the upset here, Linette is tough opponent in these conditions.
Prediction: Linette in 3
(5) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs. (wc) Tereza Martincova
H2H: First meeting.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova survived a tough opening round match-up where she defeated Ana Konjuh 7-6 6-1. Pavlyuchenkova heads into her second round match with Czech wild card Tereza Martincova as a strong favourite. Martincova needed just over 3 hours to beat Katerina Siniakova 5-7 6-4 7-6 where she fought from 1-5 down in the final set tiebreaker and saved one match point. Pavlyuchenkova has been very consistent at defeating players that she should defeat in 2021, this is one of those matches. Pavlyuchenkova is a class above, more powerful and better touch, should prevail quite comfortably.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Jil Teichmann vs Alison Riske
H2H: First meeting.
Jil Teichmann’s 6-2 6-3 win over Angelique Kerber in the opening round was her sixth victory over a top 20 opponent in 2021. Teichmann had the best result of her career in Cincinnati last month where she reached the final, beating Naomi Osaka, Belinda Bencic and Karolina Pliskova in the process. The 24-year-old clearly has great potential and should be too good for Alison Riske. Riske was lucky to outlast Ferro in her opening round match in Ostrava, a 6-4 1-6 6-4 win that could have easily been a loss. Teichmann’s greater versatility and consistency should give her the edge here, the type of opponent that can really unsettle Riske.
Prediction: Teichmann in 2
(3) Belinda Bencic vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
H2H: First meeting.
A tough match-up between the red-hot Bencic and the ever-reliable Sorribes Tormo, surprisingly it will be the first meeting between the pair. Bencic received a bye through the opening round in Ostrava, whilst Sorribes Tormo cruised past Russian qualifier Anastasia Zakharova 6-3 6-3. There’s a clear contrast in styles in this match-up. Bencic plays flat, quick tennis, keen to redirect down the line and be the aggressor, conversely Sorribes Tormo plays with more shape to her shots and is happy to defend and wait for her chances to attack when the times is right. On an indoor hard court, the advantage should be with Bencic, she has the game to hit through Sorribes Tormo, however, it won’t be easy, Sorribes Tormo will make life tough for the reigning Olympic gold medallist. I’d just give Bencic the benefit of the doubt given her strong recent form and the favourable conditions but don’t count out the Spaniard.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Main Photo from Getty Images
