The WTA Tour has descended upon North America as Monterrey, Mexico, is set to host a 250-level event. This 32-woman draw is filled with some of the game’s best players and those looking to break through to the top of the tour. On day two, No. 1 seed Caroline Garcia squares off against 22-year-old Kaja Juvan. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings around the grounds of Monterrey. But who will advance?
WTA Monterrey Day 2 Predictions
Elise Mertens vs Diana Shnaider
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Former world No. 12 Elise Mertens will square off against 18-year-old Diana Shnaider in the first round in Monterrey. It will be the first meeting between the two. Mertens has not had the strongest start to the 2023 season and has yet to advance past the second round in four events. Shnaider is playing her first match since taking a set off Maria Sakkari at the Australian Open. The young Russian has all the tools to be a top player in the game, but she must show consistency if she wants to beat Mertens. I see this one going three sets, but I favor Mertens to hold her nerve in the crucial moments.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Nuria Parrizas Diaz vs Xiyu Wang
Head-to-Head: Parrizas Diaz 1-1 Wang
Nuria Parrizas Diaz and Xiyu Wang are set to square for the third time. The two split their previous encounters and are separated by just four spots in the rankings. Parrizas Diaz has been the better player to start the season, but 21-year-old Wang has the talent to propel her to the top of the game. In what should be a very back-and-forth match, the Spaniard’s strong history against lefties is something to be aware of. I believe she gets the better of Wang in a hard-fought battle.
Prediction: Parrizas Diaz in 3
Caroline Garcia vs Kaja Juvan
Head-to-Head: first meeting
No. 1 seed Caroline Garcia is the favorite to raise her 12th career WTA singles title. She squares off against 22-year-old Kaja Juvan in the first round in Monterrey. Garcia is coming off a first-round loss in Dubai but has been playing good tennis this season. Juvan is 3-3 this season but still sits well outside the world’s Top 100. Garcia has just one loss against an opponent outside the top 100 over the last 52 weeks. I do not believe Juvan has the skillset to get past Garcia in this match.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
