Our second set of WTA San Diego Open day 2 predictions sees a pair of 18 year old Americans headlining the three matches covered. Coco Gauff’s ascent to stardom continues and she looks set for her first top ten year end finish. By contrast, Robin Montgomery is still looking to make her way on the WTA Tour and could do with a big week here. The pair are joined by the likes of Maria Sakkari and Sloane Stephens in what should be a great day of tennis. Be sure to check out our other set of predictions for Tuesday’s matches for full coverage of the day’s play. With that in mind, let’s get stuck into the three covered here.
WTA San Diego Open Day 2 Predictions
Maria Sakkari vs Donna Vekic
Head-to-head: 4 – 2 Vekic
Donna Vekic has dominated the head-to-head between these two. However, they last played in 2020 and Sakkari is a far better player now. The Greek has struggled mightily in the second half of the year but it is no accident that she is a top ten player in the women’s game. She is running out of time to salvage her season and make the WTA Finals for a second straight year. However, a deep run here puts her in striking distance of securing that goal and that should be motivation enough for her to beat Vekic in this match. The Croatian is dangerous on her day, but hasn’t played her best tennis in a while and anything less than that likely won’t cut it here.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Sloane Stephens vs Jil Teichmann
Head-to-head: 1 – 0 Stephens
Sloane Stephens continues to wallow in inconsistent and mediocre tennis. The former US Open champion has shown no signs of returning to that level for quite some time now. In fact, she has lost several matches she has no business losing in recent months. As such, it’s very hard to call her matches with no idea which Stephens is going to show up. Given Jil Teichmann is a real fighter enjoying some of her best tennis, I’m going to back her. Stephens at her best is by far the better player on hard courts, but I’m growing less and less convinced we will ever see that level again from her.
Prediction: Teichmann in 3
Coco Gauff vs Robin Montgomery
Head-to-head: First meeting
It’s a rare thing to look up to someone in your field when they are the same age as you. Nevertheless, I suspect that’s what will be happening here. Montgomery is a young player with plenty of talent who undoubtedly hopes to reach the level of compatriot Gauff in the coming years. The only thing odd about that is that Gauff is actually the younger of the two players. Gauff has established herself as a star on the WTA Tour in recent months. In fact, many feel it is only a matter of time before big titles come her way. A good run in San Diego likely secures her spot in the WTA Finals in what would be a huge milestone for the 18 year old. Montgomery has nothing to lose and beat two accomplished players to qualify here. However, Gauff has been too good this year and I can’t see her losing this one.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
