The WTA Tour transitions from one massive tournament to another as players arrive in Cincinnati for the Western & Southern Open. This 56-woman draw features the world’s best as they prepare for the final Slam of the season. Day 1 matches are headlined by the 2022 Wimbledon champ Elena Rybakina taking on Mayar Sherif and Amanda Anisimova squaring off against Daria Kasatkina. As always, we at LWOT have the previews and predictions for all matches across the grounds of Cincinnati. We have predictions in two other articles: one featuring Sloane Stephens vs Alize Cornet and another headlining Victoria Azarenka vs Kaia Kanepi. But who will advance?
ATP Cincinnati Day 1 Predictions
Elena Rybakina vs Mayar Sherif
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Off of the high of the Wimbledon title, Elena Rybakina has won just one watch since that life-changing day in June. She looks to gain some hard court form against current world #60 Mayar Sherif. The 26-year-old Egyptian, who has played in just one match since Roland Garros, is still trying to find her footing on the WTA Tour. I believe Rybakina will come out motivated and easily take care of the out of form Sherif in this match.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Leylah Fernandez vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-Head: Fernandez 1-0 Alexandrova
Leylah Fernandez and Ekaterina Alexandrova square off for the second time this season as the Canadian topped the Russian 6-3 6-4 earlier this year in Adelaide. Since then, both players have had fairly similar 2022 seasons, each capturing one title. In this match I except Fernandez to have her way early and often. She is the much better hard court player and has added motivation to have a strong hard court summer as she defends a runner-up finish in New York.
Prediction: Fernandez in 2
Caroline Garcia vs Petra Martic
Head-to-Head: Garcia 3-1 Martic
Veterans Caroline Garcia and Petra Martic are set to meet for the fifth time, and second this year. Martic notched her first win over the Frenchwoman last month in Lausanne. Both Garcia and Martic are clay-court ringers who are looking to translate their success on the dirt over to the hard courts of North America. They have a combined 29 clay-court wins this season compared to just 11 on hard courts. Something must budge in Cincinnati. I will give the slight edge to Martic, who has won 10 of her last 12 matches.
Prediction: Martic in 3
Amanda Anisimova vs Daria Kasatkina
Head-to-Head: Anisimova 2-0 Kasatkina
20-year-old American Amanda Anisimova will take on #9 seeded Darya Kasatkina in the first round of the Western & Southern Open. Anisimova has gotten the better of Kastakina in both of their previous meetings, including a 6-2 6-0 drubbing earlier this year in Melbourne. Holding nearly identical records this season, not much currently separates Anisimova and Kasatikina. With that said, the Russian did win the title in San Jose just two weeks ago. I do, however, think the previous landslide defeats against Animisova may put a little doubt into the mind of Kasatkina. I think this match will go the distance, and I slightly favor the in-form Kasatkina to find a way to the finish line.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
