This is a WTA tournament ripe with opportunity for young and unfamiliar faces in the world of women’s tennis. You would expect one of the higher seeds to lift the trophy at the end of the week. However, outside of that all bets are off and we could well see teenagers ranked outside the top 500 in the world in the latter stages of this event. Headlining this set of WTA Granby day 2 predictions is #1 seed Daria Kasatkina. The Russian is the obvious favourite for the title here but be sure to look at our other prediction sets for analysis on some of her contenders. With that out of the way, let’s get stuck into the three matches featured here.
WTA Granby Day 2 Predictions
Xiyu Wang vs Jamie Loeb
Head-to-head: 1 – 0 Wang
Several of the top players in this tournament are facing opponents ranked well outside the top 200 in the women’s game. This match is another example of that. Xiyu Wang is #75 in the world and takes on Jamie Loeb who holds a ranking of #259. The last time the American was inside the top 150 in 2017/2018. Therefore, on paper this match looks very one-sided and I expect it will play out that way. the pair met at the end of last month in Washington. In that match, Wang dropped just five games in an easy win. The Chinese star in the making has too much power, a great serve and nothing but good things ahead of her. Expect an easy win for Wang in this one.
Prediction: Wang in 2
Anna Bondar vs Kayla Cross
Head-to-head: First meeting
So, how do you make a case for Kayla Cross here despite being 1150 ranking spots away from Anna Bondar? The answer is, you don’t. Cross is currently ranked #27 in the world among juniors, so she isn’t even an obvious star in the making. The young Canadian has little to no experience at this level and was handed a bagel by Nuria Parrizas-Diaz in the second set of their qualifying match in Toronto two weeks ago. Bondar may not be a superb hard court player, but she has more than enough tools and experience to see off Cross in this one. The Hungarian should win this very comfortably.
Predictions: Bodnar in 2
Daria Kasatkina vs Greet Minnen
Head-to-head: First meeting
2022 seems to be the year for the return of familiar faces to the top of the women’s game. The likes of Caroline Garcia, Garbine Muguruza and Madison Keys are all enjoying fabulous years after poor spells across 2020/2021. However, the queen of the comebacks is most probably Kasatkina. The Russian sits at #10 in the world, a position she last held in January of 2019. In the last 12 months she has lifted three WTA titles and looks a good shout to make it four this week in Granby. She faces a tricky first round opponent in Greet Minnen. The Belgian is consistent without being spectacular, hence here seemingly perennial position near the top 100 in the game. She doesn’t have the weapons to beat someone of Kasatkina’s quality. However, she will capitalise if the Russian is off her game. I can’t see that happening here though.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
