It’s a stacked schedule for the Day 2 of main draw action at the 2023 WTA Adelaide International. Veronika Kudermetova takes on Amanda Anisimova, while one of the best players of the latter half of last year, Liudmila Samsonova, faces a tricky opening challenge in Shuai Zhang. Who do you think will advance? We also predict the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article?
WTA Adelaide Day 2 Predictions
Irina-Camelia Begu vs Shelby Rogers
Head-to-head: Rogers 2-0
The only time these two have faced each other on hard courts, Shelby Rogers won 6-2 6-0 (Indian Wells 2021). It would be unwise to expect a demolition again here, but the American has to be the favorite. She’s much more comfortable on hard courts and already has two solid displays under her belt here, having come through the qualifying draw. Meanwhile, Irina-Camelia Begu hasn’t taken the court since the end of September and could face some rust-related issues here.
Prediction: Rogers in 2
Veronika Kudermetova vs Amanda Anisimova
Head-to-head: Kudermetova 1-0
This will be Amanda Anisimova’s first match since the US Open, where she suffered a foot injury. Therefore, it’s hard to predict how fit the American will be and how much quality preparation she’s managed to get done in the off-season. Veronika Kudermetova had a breakout season in 2022, but she’s simply a consistent player who won’t go below a certain level, while also not having an upside like Anisimova. This could be a great match if the American is ready to play her best tennis.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Shuai Zhang vs Liudmila Samsonova
Head-to-head: Samsonova 1-0
Shuai Zhang was the highest-ranked WTA player to remain active in December, playing a series of 125K events. In Andorra and Limoges, she made the quarterfinals, playing well but losing to quality opposition (Rebecca Peterson and Anhelina Kalinina). She’ll be in a better match rhythm than Liudmila Samsonova, but that’s about her only advantage. If the Russian can find her disposition from late 2022, she’s a candidate to go up in the rankings again this year.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
