Day 2 at the WTA 250 Hobart International and we have a promising lineup to serve as a primer for the Australian Open. As always at LWOS, we look to predict some of the first-round matches including clay-court stalwart Bernarda Pera’s clash with Madison Brengle, the great backhand of Elise Mertens against Maryna Zanevska and Alize Cornet’s variety against Elisabetta Cocciaretto. We also predict the rest of the day’s matches, split between two other articles. One features Alison Van Uytvanck vs Magda Linette, and the other features Claire Liu vs Yulia Putintseva.
WTA Hobart Day 2 Predictions
Bernarda Pera vs Madison Brengle
Head-to-head: First meeting.
As alluded to in the intro, Bernarda Pera is more comfortable on a clay-court than a hard-court. Just how much more comfortable though? She had a 21-7 record on clay compared to a 10-9 record on hard-courts last year. This isn’t because of the nature of her shots necessarily – it’s because Pera loves time on the ball. Given time, she’s one of the heaviest hitters in the game.
Though Madison Brengle has been in a rich vein of form on hard-courts, she doesn’t have the biggest serve on the tour which might be enough for Pera to rifle a few returns passed her for a set. Over three sets though, we foresee Brengle finding her range to keep her compatriot uncomfortable.
Prediction: Brengle in 3
Maryna Zanevska vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: Mertens 1-0 Zanevska
There is a fierce air around Maryna Zanevska. After picking up a title in Rouen in October, Zanevska put in a lot of work in the off-season and returned to the court where she left off, dispatching her two qualifying opponents in fine fashion. As a Ukranian citizen, she’s made it clear on social media she wants to play for more than just herself.
Elise Mertens is so tough to beat though. She’s one of the most consummate professionals in the game, showing no obvious weaknesses. Still, the way Zanevska has carried herself these past few months shows grit. We think that grit could lead her to the highest-ranked scalp of her career so far.
Prediction: Zanevska in 3
Alize Cornet vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Head-to-head: First meeting.
Alize Cornet has a unique game. In typical French fashion, she makes the game look very easy as she caresses the ball into all four corners, possessing some of the best hand-eye coordination and feel on the tour. She can make life very difficult for unprepared players possessing a 35-11 record against players ranked outside the Top 100 over the last three seasons (seven of those losses came in 2021).
We fear Elisabetta Cocciaretto may not know what to do over the course of an entire match. Granted Cornet is prone to her fair share of off-days but, given the level she typically brings to the court, it’s difficult to see the Italian out-grinding Cornet from the baseline, especially on quicker hard-courts like Hobart’s. The 21-year-old’s got game enough for a set but we have to side with the veteran’s clinical tennis.
Prediction: Cornet in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
