Our second set of WTA Adelaide 2 day 2 predictions is headlined by former British #1 Heather Watson. Watson takes on #4 seed Tamara Zidansek in what should a cracking match to watch, nine other matches are taking place on Tuesday so there is plenty to look forward to. When the dust settles on the day’s play we will have a pretty good idea of who has a real shot at lifting the title here in Adelaide. With that in mind, let’s take a look at who should make it through to the next round of action.
WTA Adelaide 2 Day 2 Predictions
Sorana Cirstea vs Anhelina Kalinina
Head-to-head: First meeting
Both Sorana Cirstea and Anhelina Kalinina feature in the draw of WTA Melbourne 2 last week. Cirstea lost in the second round to eventual champion Amanda Anisimova while Kalinina lost to Danish star Clara Tauson in the first round. Both will be hoping for deeper runs in Adelaide as each enjoyed a strong 2021 campaign. Kalinina has never featured inside the top 100 consistently, so stepping up to the level of the WTA tour on a regular basis may prove challenging for the Ukrainian. By contrast, Cirstea is a veteran of the tour and I think that experience may well prove the deciding factor here. Back the Romanian to edge a close fought affair here,
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
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Jasmine Paolini vs Storm Sanders
Head-to-head: First meeting
There’s no way around the fact that Jasmine Paolini is the better player here. The home crowd might fire Storm Sanders up enough to make this match competitive, but the diminutive Italia is too good to suffer back-to-back upsets. Paolini had a career year in 2021 and lifted her first WTA title. That win came on hard courts as well which shows she can play on this surface. Sanders has moments last year, but is yet to show she can consistently play at the level required to be a mainstay on the tour. Paolini has more power and a lethal forehand that should serve her well here. The Aussie could keep this close if she plays well and gives the crowd a reason to cheer her on, but I expect Paolini to progress.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
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Heather Watson vs Tamara Zidansek
Head-to-head: First meeting
This could be a cracking first round match. Heather Watson had a poor 2021 despite appearing to be on the rise once more at the end of 2020. The Brit recently admitted she struggles with the discipline required to be an elite tennis player. However, her joy for the game seems to be back despite her dip in form last year. Despite her struggles, she can certainly be a real handful when her game is firing. Facing her in the first round is Tamara Zidansek. The Slovenian is enjoying a career high ranking of #31 in the world off the back of her best year on the tour so far. She won her first WTA title in Lausanne and made her first ever Grand Slam final at the French Open. That being said, she is clearly most comfortable on clay which hands an advantage to Watson here. I think she is determined to make this year a good one and will come out firing here.
Prediction: Watson in 3
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