It’s Day 3 of the WTA Eastbourne International, and we’ve got some thrilling encounters on the way. Big names such as Maria Sakkari are in action, and we will be offering up our predictions on the day’s play. So, who makes it into the next round?
WTA Eastbourne Day 3 Predictions
Rebecca Marino vs Camila Giorgi
Head-to-head: Marino 1 -0
Both players are in some good form right now. Marino came through qualifying and looked solid in her straight sets win over Heather Watson, but this will be a step up.
Giorgi is still not quite playing to her full potential but she looked good at parts last week before she fell to the red-hot Beatriz Haddad Maia. This is a match Giorgi should be winning as she’s the better player on her day, but it won’t come easily as Marino is a fighter, and Giorgi is incosistent. She should still have enough, though.
Prediction: Giorgi in 3
Jil Teichmann vs Harriet Dart
Head-to-head: First meeting
Harriet Dart has taken huge strides this year, and is playing some wonderful tennis. She’s transitioned to the grass courts very nicely, and it really will take a good player to get past her right now.
Teichmann is an excellent player, but she is far better on clay. She’s played just one match since the French Open, which she lost. Dart’s confidence is high right now, she’s got the home support and her tennis looks better by the week. I think she’ll take out the 10th seed here, but will still be tested.
Prediction: Dart in 3
Elise Mertens vs Kirsten Flipkens
Head-to-head: Mertens 1 – 0
Mertens has struggled on the grass in singles so far, managing just one win. However, she’s reached consecutive doubles finals. She’s clearly doing something right, but also wrong. Flipkens won’t be an easy match, either.
The 36-year-old is still playing some brilliant tennis, and recently reached the quarterfinals in Den Bosch. Though she pulled out of Berlin, she’s fit and ready to play here. I’ll back Flipkens here, but the match will undoubtedly be on a knife edge.
Prediction: Flipkens in 3
Maria Sakkari vs Anhelina Kalinina
Head-to-head: First meeting
It was tough not to feel for Sakkari last week, who came so close to reaching the final in Berlin. Her tennis is great, but her inability to bring it in the clutch moments is really holding her back.
Kalinina is capable of such great tennis, but I feel she still needs time to improve on the grass courts. She can beat plenty of players on the tour even on this surface, but Sakkari isn’t one of them. As long as Maria stays consistent and powerful, she shouldn’t have too much trouble here.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
