The Linz Open is back on the WTA Tour after not being held in 2022. This time in a February slot, the Monday schedule of this event will feature the final qualifying round and one singles main draw match (plus five doubles). Who do you think will prevail in these exciting clashes?
WTA Linz Day 1 Predictions
Sara Errani vs Andrea Gamiz
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is a final round of qualifying match. Andrea Gamiz played her first indoor match since 2019 on Sunday when she defeated Johanna Hiesmair. Sara Errani might not be a queen of faster surfaces herself, but she still presents a completely different challenge than the local wild card. The Italian is just as fierce of a competitor as she was in her prime, and even if the tennis isn’t always there anymore, her grit should be enough to get her through if something goes wrong.
Prediction: Errani in 2
Viktoriya Tomova vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is a final round of qualifying match. Is Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova ready for a win like this? This will be a big test for the former World No. 11, who’s down to 846th in the rankings after missing almost the entire 2022 season. She only won one game against Camila Giorgi at the Australian Open, but looked much better while dispatching Viktoria Kuzmova in the opening round here. Her Bulgarian namesake, Viktoriya Tomova, is no pushover either and Pavlyuchenkova will have to be clean here.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
Rebeka Masarova vs Clara Tauson
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is a final round of qualifying match. Speaking of coming back from an injury, Clara Tauson missed a few months last year but was already getting fired up in WTA 125K events in December. The Dane suffered a disappointing exit to Olga Danilovic in Lyon, but with her talent maybe it’s not going to be that much of a setback. Rebeka Masarova has a big serve and should prove to be a very tough challenge for the 20-year-old prospect.
Prediction: Tauson in 3
Jule Niemeier vs Sofia Kenin
Head-to-head: Niemeier 1-0
These two faced each other in the first round of the US Open with Jule Niemeier prevailing in straight sets. The German hasn’t had a perfect start to the year, but most of the opposition she lost to was extremely high quality. Sofia Kenin is still very much on her way back to the top level and has actually never played that much indoors. With her huge serve and potent groundstrokes, Niemeier is better suited to the conditions and has already had two matches under the roof in Lyon last week.
Prediction: Niemeier in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
