Granby, Canada is host to a final US Open lead-up event for the WTA Tour. There are some big names that occupy this draw, but there is also a great opportunity for some younger, lower-ranked players to make some noise. Day three in Granby is filled with Round of 16 matches, including #1 seed Daria Kastakina taking on Magdalena Frech. We at LWOT have the coverage for that match as well as all other happenings around the grounds of Granby. But who will advance?
WTA Granby Day 3 Predictions
Anna Bondar vs Tatjana Maria
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Young Anna Bondar and veteran Tatjana Maria are set to square off for the first time. Bondar is known for her clay-court prowess, notching just her fifth tour-level hard-court victory of the season earlier this week. Maria, who made a dream run to the Wimbledon semis at age 34, is just 2-4 since her time in London. Bondar is 1-4 over her last five matches. Something must give in Granby. I give the slight edge to the young Hungarian who may be more motivated to find some form ahead of the season’s last Slam.
Prediction: Bondar in 3
Harriet Dart vs Nuria Parrizas Diaz
Head-to-Head: Dart 1-0 Parrizas Diaz
Harriet Dart and #5 seed Nuria Parrizas Diaz are set to square off for the second time, though, their first meeting was nearly eight years ago. Dart and Parrizas Diaz hold nearly identical records this season, but Dart has been slightly more successful on hard courts. With that said, both could use a strong showing in Granby to build confidence ahead of the final Slam of the season. I expect this to be one of the best matches of the day, but do give the slight advantage to the Spaniard. She has shown slightly better form during the hard court summer swing.
Prediction: Parrizas Diaz in 3
Katherine Sebov vs Daria Saville
Head-to-Head: first meeting
#9 seed Daria Saville takes on 23-year-old Canadian wildcard Katherine Sebov in round two. Saville made a run to the Citi Open semifinals earlier this month and holds a record of 18-9 on hard courts this season. She should be feeling very confident against the wildcard. Sebov, ranked #307 in the world, picked up her first tour-level victory of the season in Granby, coming from a set down to best Xinyu Wang. Sebov has played all 46 of her matches this season on hard courts, so she should feel comfortable in this match. With that said, I believe the experience and confidence of Saville will help lead her to the finish line.
Prediction: Saville in 3
Daria Kasatkina vs Magdalena Frech
Head-to-Head: Kasatkina 1-0 Frech
#1 seed Daria Kasatkina is set to square off against Magdalena Frech in Round 2 in Granby. Kasatkina bested Frech in a tough three-set battle back in 2019. These two are separated by just seven months in age, but the Russian has had a much better early career. Kasatkina, who came back from a set down in her round one match, is looking to get a few more matches under her belt after back-to-back first-round exits in Toronto and Cincinnati. Frech, on the other hand, was not in the main draw of either of those two events. The only way I see Frech coming out of this one with a victory is if Kasatkina decides she has had enough hard court practice before the US Open. However, I do not see that happening.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
