There is no shortage of star attractions at the WTA Jasmin Open in Monastir. There are some intriguing matches in store including top seed Ons Jabeur’s anticipated return to Tunisia. We predict all ten matches on schedule in a jam-packed Day 2 of the event. Who will reach the second round?
WTA Monastir Day 2 Predictions
Evgeniya Rodina vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse
Head-to-head: Ruse 1-0 Rodina
Ruse needs to shake off that dreadful loss in the Tallinn qualifiers a week ago. It has been a season of many lowlights for the Romanian who now hovers outside the top 100. Rodina, for her part, is playing her second tournament after a two-year hiatus. And the Russian exceeded expectations at the US Open when she stunned French Open semifinalist Martina Trevisan right out of the gate. And as if to prove that win was not a fluke, she took a set off Ajla Tomljanovic in a narrow second-round defeat. The 33-year-old is ranked #556 but has cashed in on her protected ranking again. If her last two matches are anything to go by, there is a good chance she might upset the apple cart here.
Prediction: Rodina in 3
Diane Parry vs Lesia Tsurenko
Head-to-head: first meeting
Tsurenko arrives in Tunisia with a shoulder concern that forced her to pull out from her quarterfinal match in Portoroz. The Ukrainian has an appalling fitness record with six retirements already in 2022. Her durability is very much questionable. Parry, by contrast, has made the quarterfinals or better in four tournaments in the second half of the campaign and currently sits at a career-high #65. The Frenchwoman has some sort of artistic flair in her game. Her elegant one-hander is not the kind of shot you often see on the WTA Tour. Her keen court awareness is also not something you would associate with a 20-year-old. If this goes the distance Parry should be heavily favored to come out on top.
Prediction: Parry in 3
Veronika Kudermetova vs Varvara Gracheva
Head-to-head: Kudermetova 1-0 Gracheva
Kudermetova is on the verge of entering the world’s Top 10 for the first time. She has made deep runs at Grand Slam level while also being equally impressive in Tour-level events. Still, a first title of the season continues to elude her after falling in the semifinal stage in Tokyo. That shouldn’t dampen her moods this week. She has a great draw. And aside from Jabeur (whom she could meet in the final), it is tough to see anyone coming close to breaking her electric serve.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
