Time for the second-round matches from the top half of the 2023 WTA Mutua Madrid Open on Day 4. This is the only big event on clay that Iga Swiatek hasn’t won yet. Can she kick off her campaign well against Julia Grabher?
WTA Madrid Day 4 Predictions
Jil Teichmann vs Lesia Tsurenko
Head-to-head: First meeting
Lesia Tsurenko is at a pretty scary looking 22-6 for the year, although that’s a bit misleading as she hasn’t had that many deep runs other than the Hua Hin final and she withdrew from a few matches. Can she take out Jil Teichmann, who was the semifinalist in Madrid last year? Form-wise, the Swiss is definitely not as hot as Tsurenko, but she loves these quicker clay conditions and has the higher upside.
Prediction: Teichmann in 3
Veronika Kudermetova vs Nuria Parrizas-Diaz
Head-to-head: First meeting
Veronika Kudermetova doesn’t look like a player who’ll return to the Top 10 this year, but it’s not like she’s losing to poor opposition. She is somewhat out of form though and Nuria Parrizas-Diaz should have a fighting chance here after winning three matches in Madrid already. Kudermetova will need to be very cautious here to avoid another early exit (she lost in the opening round of four of her last five events).
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Tatjana Maria vs Bernarda Pera
Head-to-head: Maria 1-0
Tatjana Maria‘s quirky slice-and-dice playstyle should be much less effective on clay, but you generally wouldn’t know that based on her results. She’s just won a WTA 250 on the dirt (although at high altitude) and crushed Alexandra Eala in round one. Bernarda Pera has a fantastic game for these conditions though and is experienced enough to know how to handle Maria’s slices. The American’s lefty topspin forehand should help her move her opponent around the court and play high balls into her one-hander.
Prediction: Pera in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Julia Grabher
Head-to-head: First meeting
Iga Swiatek has only played Madrid once, losing to Ashleigh Barty in the third round two years ago. Theoretically, she enjoys slower clay conditions more, but after the display of strength she put up in Stuttgart last week, we can throw these ideas out to the bin. Maybe someone will give her a challenge and rush her forehand later in the event, but it will not be Julia Grabher on Friday.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane USAToday
