The WTA Den Bosch Open sees four round of sixteen matches scheduled for Thursday, as well as yesterday’s matches postponed due to rain. It should be an entertaining day of tennis with a number of excellent grass-courters set to be in action in the Netherlands. But who will secure their spot in the quarterfinals?
WTA Den Bosch Day 4 Predictions
Veronika Kudermetova vs Anna Blinkova
Head-to-head: Kudermetova 2-0 Blinkova
Veronika Kudermetova is in strong form and is nearing a top-20 ranking for the first time. She is also a fine doubles player, and that fast-paced play and ability at the net often helps on grass. Anna Blinkova has had a solid start to the year, but has historically had mixed results on grass. She struggled in her first round match against Greet Minnen, while Kudermetova won her match easily. Kudermetova has fared well in the past on grass courts, and her doubles experience will help her better transition to form. Kudermetova should be able to win fairly easily, as long as she can jump on Blinkova’s serve.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
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Alison Van Uytvanck vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: Van Uytvanck 1-1 Mertens
This all-Belgian matchup should be the most competitive match of the day. Elise Mertens is the more experienced player, is highly ranked, and had a bit stronger start to the year. Van Uytvanck did begin her grass court swing a week early, and it paid off as she captured the Surbiton title. Mertens doubles play will ease her transition to grass, but Van Uytvanck’s match play will serve her well.
While Mertens is certainly the better player, the difficult clay to grass transition makes even one tournament on the surface a big factor. Van Uytvanck not only has several matches under her belt but also has momentum from winning the tournament. While she did not beat anyone of Mertens’ quality, she has beaten Mertens in the past and will use her comfort on grass to take a battle that will be decided by a few key points.
Prediction: Van Uytvanck in 3
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Elena Rybakina vs Shelby Rogers
Head-to-head: Rybakina 3-1 Rogers
Shelby Rogers is pretty comfortable on grass but faces a difficult draw in Elena Rybakina. Rybakina has a big serve and has historically played well on grass courts. She has won their last three meetings including a straight set victory at Wimbledon last year. Rybakina also has the form advantage, compiling a 20-10 record on the year vs 8-11 for Rogers. Rybakina will take care of business on serve and force Rogers into enough errors to secure several breaks. Rybakina has the form, surface, matchup, and overall skillset advantage and will take the match in straights.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
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Kirsten Flipkens vs Ann Li
Head-to-head: first meeting
This matchup sees two players 15 years apart in age where Kristen Flipkens hopes her experience will outweigh Ann Li’s likely physical edge. Both players have dealt with injuries, playing a total of one match since Miami in March of this year. Flipkens has a good record on grass but has not played on the surface since 2019. Li is less experienced but has been in better form and her youth will play a factor in her recovery. Flipkens is talented but there are understandably questions about her ability to bounce back from an injury at her age, and Li will user her energy and power to get through the veteran.
Prediction: Li in 3
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