Some very exciting matches await the spectators at the WTA Open 6e Sens Metropole on Day 2 in Lyon. Alycia Parks will try to get over the disappointing loss in Australian Open qualifying, while one of the best performers of the main draw in Melbourne, Shuai Zhang, takes on Madison Brengle. We also predict the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article. Who do you think will advance to the second round?
WTA Lyon Day 2 Predictions
Erika Andreeva vs Anna Blinkova
Head-to-head: Andreeva 2-0
Erika Andreeva won both their meetings last year pretty comfortably, but this one should be much tighter in theory. Anna Blinkova started the year very well, making the semifinals at the WTA 250 in Hobart and taking a set off Madison Keys at the Australian Open. More importantly, the older of the Russians is an excellent indoor player with three finals under the roof last year, including a title at the WTA 250 in Cluj. On these courts, her weaponry might prove too much for Andreeva.
Prediction: Blinkova in 3
Alycia Parks vs Julia Grabher
Head-to-head: Parks 1-0
Speaking of terrifying weapons, Alycia Parks is one of the first players that come to mind. The 22-year-old finished her 2022 campaign on an incredible high, grabbing back-to-back WTA 125K titles in Andorra and Limoges. She disappointed at the Australian Open, though, blowing herself off the court (70 unforced errors) in the second round of the qualifying draw. Julia Grabher is a fine player, but she will struggle to handle Parks’s serve and this match should be solely on the American’s racket.
Prediction: Parks in 2
Ana Bogdan vs Clara Burel
Head-to-head: First meeting
Clara Burel is a very talented player with a real rocket on the forehand side, but she can’t seem to start putting together a few good runs in succession. As a result, the 21-year-old is currently just outside the Top 100 of the WTA Rankings. She’s done well at Lyon before, making the quarterfinals two years ago and her Australian Open campaign was definitely a positive start to the year. At home, she should have a shot at making this upset against Ana Bogdan.
Prediction: Burel in 3
Madison Brengle vs Shuai Zhang
Head-to-head: First meeting
Shuai Zhang had a great run to the fourth round at the Australian Open, before getting easily taken down by Karolina Pliskova. The Chinese really benefitted from the new Dunlop balls, which gave the advantage to flatter hitters. Indoor conditions do it as well and she is the defending champion in Lyon, having clinched the title about 11 months ago. Meanwhile, Madison Brengle is yet to win a match this year and this isn’t a perfect draw for her to stop the losing streak.
Prediction: Zhang in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
