The second day of the WTA tournament in Stuttgart has absolutely amazing matchups. Barbora Krejcikova against Liudmila Samsonova is just too good a matchup to be happening in the opening round of a WTA 500 event. To make matters worse for these two players, one of them will also face Aryna Sabalenka next. But that’s how strong the draw of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is. Who do you think will come out on top? We also look at the rest of the day’s matches in another article.
WTA Stuttgart Day 2 Predictions
Martina Trevisan vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Head-to-head: Haddad Maia 2-1
Beatriz Haddad Maia gave Martina Trevisan just two games at the United Cup this year, but lost their only previous meeting on the dirt seven years ago. While generally a hardcore clay specialist, the Italian has picked up some good runs on hard courts recently and will actually be entering this event with plenty of momentum. However, the conditions in Stuttgart are much faster than they usually are on the red stuff. Haddad Maia should find that to her liking in this matchup. She also played two matches here in the Billie Jean King Cup tie over the weekend.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 3
Tatjana Maria vs Ylena In-Albon
Head-to-head: First meeting
Tatjana Maria has recently defended her title at the WTA 250 in Bogota, which is held on altitude clay. That makes the conditions somewhat similar to those in Stuttgart, seeing as the courts play quicker than usual dirt in both venues. The German’s slice-and-dice game is most effective on low-bouncing surfaces, but she can manage it on such fast clay too with all the chips not being quite as easy to attack. Ylena In-Albon has the advantage of playing through the qualifying here, but Maria also had the opportunity to play on these courts in the Billie Jean King Cup vs Brazil.
Prediction: Maria in 2
Barbora Krejcikova vs Liudmila Samsonova
Head-to-head: Samsonova 1-0
Liudmila Samsonova was on fire in Stuttgart last year, coming as close to beating Iga Swiatek as anyone managed to in her 37-match win streak. Her powerful serve and forehand pierce through the indoor clay here and it makes her an extremely formidable opponent. Barbora Krejcikova has made a case for being counted as one of the best four players of 2023 so far by winning in Dubai, but she keeps running into these extremely tough draws. Unfortunately for her, this could be yet another one that ends up holding her back.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
