Just two women remain in contention for the title at the WTA Gaiba Open. Top-seeded Alison Van Uytvanck shows no signs of slowing down, having recently won a grass 100K in Surbiton. Meanwhile, Sara Errani shocked us all and made her first-ever final on the lawn. But who will take the title?
WTA Gaiba Final Prediction
Alison Van Uytvanck vs Sara Errani
Head-to-head: van Uytvanck 1-0
It had been a pretty mediocre year for Van Uytvanck, but the Belgian caught fire with the beginning of the grass-court season. In the past eighteen days, the 28-year-old won 11 times and lost just once. This streak includes taking the title at a 100K ITF in Surbiton and quarterfinals at the WTA 250 in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. In Gaiba thus far, Van Uytvanck is yet to drop a single set. She was only taken to a tiebreak once (by Harmony Tan in the semifinals). The Belgian enjoys playing on this surface and made the fourth round at Wimbledon once, taking out defending champion Garbine Muguruza in the process.
Errani’s most famous (or infamous) grass-court moment prior to this week was not winning a single point in a set against Yaroslava Shvedova at Wimbledon. “Gaibledon” 2022 marks the first time the Italian found three consecutive wins on this surface, later picking up her fourth. The courts aren’t exactly well-prepared (see the video below), which actually helps Errani a lot. Her playstyle focuses on consistency and many other competitors have been struggling to keep the ball in play. With how uneven the bounces are, coming into the net is pivotal and the former doubles World No. 1 has excellent touch on her volleys.
Madison Brengle and Kateryna Baindl (Kozlova) testing the grass in Gaiba (125k tournament starting next week). #help pic.twitter.com/1jZggPIXo6
— Qinwenation (@IdemoAna) June 11, 2022
On grass courts, this seems like a no-brainer. But maybe the messy conditions and uneven bounces in Gaiba can favor Errani again? Her craftiness has really shined so far this week, but she hasn’t faced anyone of Van Uytvanck’s class. Hitting through the court and blasting the ball as the Belgian does would be much easier in regular circumstances. Still, the 28-year-old is just in amazing form at the moment. She handled every possible issue so far and should continue doing so.
Prediction: Van Uytvanck in 3
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
