Day 3 WTA action in Eastbourne means that the 16 seeded players will be playing their first matches of the week. Players are hoping to take this final opportunity to hone in their grass-court game ahead of Wimbledon. Defending Eastbourne Champion Jelena Ostapenko takes the court against Ajla Tomljanovic, but who will come out on top?
WTA Eastbourne Day 3 Predictions
Karolina Pliskova vs Katie Boulter
Head-to-Head: Pliskova 1-0 Boulter
Two-time Eastbourne Champion and #4 seed Karolina Pliskova is hoping to capture some form this week ahead of the Championships at Wimbledon. Pliskova has had a strong career on grass but played in her first tournament of the year on the surface last week in Berlin. After solid showings in Nottingham and Birmingham, Katie Boulter earned a wildcard entry into this event. The 25-year-old Brit is looking to translate her ITF-Level success to the tour. Unfortunately for Boulter, a motivated Pliskova will likely be too much to handle.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Shelby Rogers vs Viktoriya Tomova
Head-to-Head: first meeting
After overcoming a set deficit to win her Round 1 match, Shelby Rogers will face Lucky Loser Viktoriya Tomova in Round 2 at Eastbourne. After losing in Round 2 of qualifying, Tomova was admitted to the main draw after Ons Jabeur withdrew to likely avoid any fatigue before Wimbledon. This is a massive break for the American who went from playing World #3 to World #128. Tomova has just one career main draw tour-level win on grass. After reaching the semifinals in Den Bosch, Rogers looks poised to continue her grass-court success.
Prediction: Rogers in 2
Elena Rybakina vs Lesia Tsurenko
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Elena Rybakina matches up with qualifier Lesia Tsurenko for the first time in Round 2 in Eastbourne. As the #9 seed, Rybakina received a bye into Round 2. After cruising through her qualifying matches, Lesia Tsurenko won a hard-fought 7-5 7-6 Round 1 match over Maria Camila Serrano. The veteran Tsurenko is trying to revive her 2022 season after a slow start. With that said, I think the 23-year-old Rybakina will be tough to beat with her powerful groundstrokes.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Jelena Ostapenko vs Ajla Tomljanovic
Head-to-Head: Ostapenko 1-1 Tomljanovic
2021 Eastbourne Champion Jelena Ostapenko is looking to defend her title ahead of the Wimbledon Championships. Her title defense will be put under immediate pressure by Australian Ajla Tomljanovic. Tomlijanovic won her Round 1 match 6-0 4-6 6-3 over Aleksandra Krunic. She holds a 3-1 record on the grass this season. Although Ostapenko did suffer a Round 2 loss as the #1 seed last week in Birmingham, her history on the grass speaks for itself. I expect her to have another strong week in Eastbourne.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
