Day 3 at the WTA Slovenia Open sees half of the second round, including Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. Who do you think will advance? We give our picks for the matches.
WTA Slovenia Open Day 3 Predictions
Lesia Tsurenko vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-head: 3-0 Tsurenko
Tsurenko has dominated their previous meetings, winning all six sets. However, they have only played one time in the last two years. Alexandrova had a strong start to the year but has been in a bit of a funk in the recent hard court swing. Luckily for her, Tsurenko has been similarly struggling to score big wins of late. While Alexandrova is a seed and has a good year highlighted by her second career title, but Tsurenko has had her number in the past. Alexandrova is an all-court player while Tsurenko excels more on the hard courts. Matchups are huge in tennis, and this one has been favorable to Tsurekno and combined with her comfort on hard courts will propel the veteran to a hard-fought victory.
Prediction: Tsurenko in 3
Martina Trevisan vs Katerina Siniakova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Trevisan has had an excellent year and is overall a stronger player than Siniakova who favors doubles. Trevisan is mostly a clay court specialist which gives Siniakova a real chance in the match. She has had a poor hard court season highlighted by her first round exit at the US Open to Rodina in straight sets. Siniakova has been a bit better of late looking strong at the ITF level and fought hard at the US Open. Siniakova has been solid against weaker competition and uses a strong serve to put out consistent performances. This will be key against Trevisan who relies on long rallies and a good return game. Siniakova will have to serve well and she will, giving her enough to beat Trevisan who struggles off of the clay.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
Ana Bogdan vs Tamara Zidansek
Head-to-head: 1-0 Bogdan
Zidansek is looking to right the ship in Slovenia, winning her first match in two months coming off a five match losing streak. Bogdan looked strong in her first round match and is looking to build momentum after her title in Romania last month. This will see similar styles, with both players having good baseline games. Neither of them is focused on one surface, though Zidansek has had most of her success on clay. Bogdan has been playing well lately, and form is big as legs get tired at this point in the season. Bogdan will continue to play well and is a bit better on hard courts which will give her the edge she needs to make the quarters.
Prediction: Bogdan in 2
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Cristina Bucsa
Head-to-head: 2-0 Haddad Maia
Hadda Maia has been one of 2022’s breakout stars on the WTA Tour. She beat Busca in three sets earlier in the year at the French Open. Grass was her best surface on the year but she has won titles on clay courts as well. Busca has had a good year and looks to break into the top-100 soon for the first time. While she has scored many wins recently, most of them have been in either qualifying or ITF events. Haddad Maia will be a far bigger challenge as she has been able to hit past almost all of her recent opponents. The Brazilian showed her abilities on hard courts earlier in the year by reaching the final in Cincinnati. Haddad Maia is too good and too strong for Busca to handle, especially on a hard court and she will win easily.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Elena Rybakina vs Tereza Martincova
Head-to-head: 1-1
Rybakina has had a truly excellent year, highlighted by her Wimbledon title. She had a disappointing first round exit at the US Open but showed her skills on hard courts with a quarterfinal appearance two weeks earlier in Cincinnati. Martincova has had an ok year with great qualifying results in the hard court fall swing. She has taken care of business against lesser players but has not found any huge wins. Rybakina is at a level that will be too high for Martincova. She will be hungry to finish the year strong, especially considering her not receiving points for her Wimbledon title. Rybakina is strong, hits with power, and serves well, which will be more than enough tools to take down Martincova in a quick one.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
