Time for more first-round matches on Day 2 of the 2023 WTA Mutua Madrid Open. Emma Raducanu and Viktoriya Tomova will battle it out for who gets to play Iga Swiatek next. Can the former US Open champion secure another clash with the World No. 1? We also predict the rest of the day’s matches, split between three articles. The other two articles feature Leylah Fernandez vs Mirra Andreeva and Elina Svitolina vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Who do you think will prevail?
WTA Madrid Day 2 Predictions
Alexandra Eala vs Tatjana Maria
Head-to-head: Maria 1-0
Alexandra Eala has received a lot of hype over the years (rightfully so) and part of that was the contract with IMG that also got her the wild card for this event. However, the 17-year-old has yet to achieve that much in pro tennis and hasn’t been doing well in recent weeks either. On top of that, she’s already played the veteran Tatjana Maria this year in Hua Hin and didn’t know how to combat her unique style.
Prediction: Maria in 2
Rebeka Masarova vs Cristina Bucsa
Head-to-head: Masarova 1-0
This should be a very interesting all-Spanish clash with both players possessing the ability to take advantage of the quicker conditions in Madrid. Cristina Bucsa should be more used to them after playing in Stuttgart last week, but Rebeka Masarova also enters this event with plenty of momentum after making the final at a 100K ITF in Oeiras. Pretty much a toss-up, but the younger of the Spaniards doesn’t really get that much out of her serve despite her height and maybe that can allow Bucsa to have a good shot at a win.
Prediction: Bucsa in 3
Varvara Gracheva vs Xiyu Wang
Head-to-head: First meeting
At just 3-8 for the year, Xiyu Wang really needs a good event right now. Madrid would be a good opportunity for the Chinese with the quicker clay conditions, but Varvara Gracheva is far from a good draw. The Russian hasn’t played in 20 days so there’s a little question mark as to whether her form will continue, but most of this season she’s been absolutely fabulous and producing the best tennis of her career to date.
Prediction: Gracheva in 3
Marketa Vondrousova vs Marina Bassols Ribera
Head-to-head: First meeting
On the one hand, Marina Bassols Ribera was fortunate to draw a qualifier in this event, giving herself a nice chance to utilize her wildcard well. However, the qualifier turns out to be Marketa Vondrousova. The Czech is coming back after some injury struggles and while it’s taking her a while, her results this year have been exceptional. In reality, she’s a top 50 player at least (especially on clay) and she should continue showing that.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Emma Raducanu vs Viktoriya Tomova
Head-to-head: Tomova 1-0
Viktoriya Tomova lost to Clara Burel in the final qualifying round, but made it in as a lucky loser. This certainly isn’t an unwinnable matchup for her as Emma Raducanu continues to be a very uneven competitor. Her talent is undeniable though and if she can bring something like her level from Indian Wells earlier this year, she should be taking this one home. It’s definitely more on her racket than Tomova’s.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
