The 2022 WTA Eastbourne International continues with a mixture of first and second-round matches on Monday, Day 2 of the event. One of the most interesting storylines is the return of Barbora Krejcikova, who only got one match in at Roland Garros before suffering another setback. Marta Kostyuk is a nasty opening draw for the Czech. Who do you think will prevail?
Maryna Zanevska vs Kirsten Flipkens
Head-to-head: Zanevska 1-0
Kirsten Flipkens is planning to retire at Wimbledon, but the Belgian is still keeping a pretty competitive level, especially on grass. She made the quarterfinals at ‘s-Hertogenbosch and now got through the qualifying here. The 36-year-old was a phenomenal grass-courter back in the day, making the semifinals at Wimbledon nine years ago. She could still slice her way to victory against her compatriot Maryna Zanevska, who’s much less experienced on the lawn.
Prediction: Flipkens in 2
Alexandra Krunic vs Ajla Tomljanovic
Head-to-head: 1-1
Both women can certainly play on grass, but haven’t been consistently delivering their best tennis this year. Alexandra Krunic qualified here and will be more familiar with the courts, but the Serbian didn’t have a great time at Birmingham, particularly in a straightforward loss to Sorana Cirstea. Her craftiness can be a huge asset, but Alja Tomljanovic’s more power-oriented game seems more dangerous.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 3
Anhelina Kalinina vs Sorana Cirstea
Head-to-head: Kalinina 1-0
Anhelina Kalinina’s grass-court game is still a little suspect, mostly as the Ukrainian only recently made the jump to the main tour and hasn’t played much at the highest level yet. Sorana Cirstea is coming off a semifinal appearance at Birmingham and while historically she also hasn’t done that well on the lawn (sub 50% win-rate), it should set her up nicely for this encounter.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Marta Kostyuk vs Barbora Krejcikova
Head-to-head: Kostyuk 1-0
Who knows what Barbora Krejcikova will be able to bring to the court on Monday. Following her long struggle with injury, the Czech came back to tennis with a loss to Diane Parry and then caught COVID-19. Her fitness wasn’t there yet in Paris and the illness won’t help that. It doesn’t help that Marta Kostyuk is a nasty opening-round draw and demolished Viktorija Golubic in the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
