Four second-round women’s singles matches are on Wednesday’s schedule at the 2022 WTA Washington Open. Interestingly, none of these matches have ever been contested before. Will we see the beginning of any exciting rivalries? Who do you think will advance?
WTA Washington Day 3 Predictions
Zhu Lin vs Kaia Kanepi
Head-to-head: first meeting
It was a pretty quick turnaround from Prague to Washington for Zhu Lin, but she handled herself great in the first-round win over Harriet Dart. Kaia Kanepi hadn’t played since Wimbledon, but also wasted no time dispatching Greet Minnen. The Estonian has been playing a bit of a lighter schedule this year, but still barely suffering any early losses (until the grass season). Back in more favorable conditions, Kanepi should find a way to control the rallies here.
Prediction: Kanepi in 3
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Rebecca Marino vs Andrea Petkovic
Head-to-head: first meeting
Andrea Petkovic took out Clara Tauson in the opening round, but the Dane was playing for the first time in a while and just wasn’t ready for this level yet. The German veteran can still produce great tennis at times, but she won’t be the favorite for this match. Rebecca Marino is coming from the qualifying and while all her matches so far finished in deciding sets, she’s proven herself to be capable to raise her game when needed. Her powerful hits should also compliment the Washington courts pretty nicely.
Prediction: Marino in 3
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Jessica Pegula vs Daria Saville
Head-to-head: first meeting
Daria Saville is quietly having a very good campaign and the last time we played on hard courts in the States, she went big at the Sunshine Double. So did Jessica Pegula, who like the Australian hadn’t competed since Wimbledon. Saville had the rougher start in Washington, surviving a thriller against Miriam Bjorklund. It seems like a good matchup for Pegula, who can be sure that she’ll be able to play her game as the opponent won’t put her under some enormous pressure in the rallies.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
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Simona Halep vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-head: First meeting
Simona Halep did very well on hard courts in the first three months of the season, but her opening round win against Cristina Bucsa was shaky. Up 6-4 5-2, the Romanian got broken twice to have to finish the match 7-5. However, now that she’s shaken off the rust, she should be back to her dominant best. Anna Kalinskaya could provide a pretty tough challenge though, having demolished blown Madison Brengle off the court in her first match here.
Prediction: Halep in 2
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