Day 2 at the WTA event in Chennai will feature plenty of players who you’d usually not find at this level. With several very low ranked players taking part in the main draw this week, the first seed is only ranked #23. A weakened field could be expected right after a Grand Slam, but this definitely presents an opportunity for a lot of players to make good runs and get career results. We also predict the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article.
WTA Chennai Day 2 Predictions
Arianne Hartono vs Katie Swan
Head-to-head: first meeting
Both players are ranked outside the top 150 and have a rare opportunity to score a tour level win. Hartono has been rising a lot this year, while Swan, a former junior #2, also got the biggest title of her career so far at W60 Lexington a month ago. A very tight match is to be expected and a lot will be decided by who manages to hold their nerve better and take this great chance to get a tour level win.
Prediction: Hartono in 3
Nadia Podoroska vs Kyoka Okamura
Head-to-head: first meeting
Although they’re only separated by one ranking spot (297 vs 298), there’s a big difference in pedigree between both players. Podoroska peaked at #36 in the WTA rankings and reached the semifinals at Roland Garros 2020, with her very low ranking explained by a long 10-month hiatus post-US Open 2021. She’s clearly the favorite to prevail here despite the closeness in ranking.
Prediction: Podoroska in 2
Mariia Tkacheva vs Varvara Gracheva
Head-to-head: first meeting
Although she’s only ranked #366, Tkacheva has risen almost 500 spots this year and looks set to keep rising. That said, this will be her first ever career match against a Top 150 opponent, which might prove too much of a step up in level at this point. Gracheva should have the slight edge here.
Prediction: Gracheva in 3
Tatjana Maria vs Ankita Raina
Head-to-head: first meeting
Maria had a spectacular run to the semifinals at Wimbledon but has since completely gone off the boil. This seems like a good chance to try and get back on track, with a first round encounter against a player ranked outside the Top 300. Despite her poor recent form, she should still prevail here.
Prediction: Maria in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
