After a first day where rain significantly affected the schedule, Day 2 at the WTA National Bank Open (Rogers Cup) in Toronto will, weather permitting, see plenty of exciting action, including Roland Garros finalist Coco Gauff and world #9 Daria Kasatkina. As always, we predict every match and we split the day’s new matches between three articles. In addition to this article, the other two feature Naomi Osaka vs Kaia Kanepi and Maria Sakkari vs Sloane Stephens.
WTA Rogers Cup Day 2 Predictions
Shuai Zhang vs Cristina Bucsa
Aside from a title in Lyon, Zhang has had a pretty disappointing season, but history indicates this is a favorable matchup for her, against a much lower ranked opponent too. Busca showed very good form in qualifying and will come into this round confident, but Zhang should be able to prevail yet again in this matchup in the end.
Prediction: Zhang in 2
Anna Bondar vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: first meeting
Mertens is having a very good season, with fourth round appearances in all three Slams played so far. Bondar has been having a decent season herself, but all of her success has come on clay, while she tends to struggle on quicker surfaces. Mertens should be able to outhit Bondar and advanced to the next round here.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Daria Kasatkina vs Bianca Andreescu
Head-to-head: Andreescu 2-0 Kasatkina
Andreescu won the US Open in 2019 in spectacular fashion, but she’s never been able to back up that results and currently sits #53 in the WTA rankings and hasn’t got past the second round of a Slam this year. Kasatkina, on the other hand, has reached a career high ranking of #9 after winning the title in San José last week. That could mean she’ll be tired this week, but more likely will mean that she’ll come full of confidence and ready for another strong run.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Madison Brengle vs Coco Gauff
Head-to-head: Gauff 1-0 Brengle
Their one previous meeting was this year and Gauff won it pretty easily and that should be the case again in this all-American matchup. Gauff is on the rise and a contender to win a big tournament soon and she should be able to get past this first round with relative ease.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
