We are just six days away from the start of the 2023 French Open as 32 women descend upon Strasbourg, France, for a final WTA lead-up event ahead of the second Slam of the season. The Internationaux de Strasbourg may not have the most star-studded field, but intriguing matchups should lend itself to some terrific tennis. No. 5 seed Sorana Cirstea gets her tournament started against Frenchwoman Clara Burel. We have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings around the grounds of Strasbourg. But who will advance?
WTA Strasbourg Day 2 Predictions
Shuai Zhang vs Anna-Lena Friedsam
Head-to-Head: first meeting
No. 3 seed Shuai Zhang opens her Strasbourg campaign against the formidable Anna-Lena Friedsam. Zhang is 0-6 in her last six matches and does not have a victory since January. Friedsam, on the other hand, has had a decent clay-court run this season. She is 6-5 on the surface, taking top clay courters like Beatriz Haddad Maia and Paula Badosa to three sets. Zhang has never favored the clay and will have trouble finding her footing against Friedsam. I like the German to find the finish line in a decider.
Prediction: Friedsam in 3
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Emma Navarro vs Tereza Martincova
Head-to-Head: Navarro 1-0 Martincova
Emma Navarro and Tereza Martincova will square off in the first round in Strasbourg. Navarro won their only previous meeting in 2021 on the clay in Charleston. The 22-year-old American has been terrific on the clay this season. She holds a 23-4 record on the surface in 2023, though most of that work has come at the ITF level. Martincova has struggled this season and has just one win at the tour level. She does not favor the clay as her best surface and will struggle with a ringer like Navarro. I see the American moving through in straight sets.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Lauren Davis vs Sarah Iliev
Head-to-Head: first meeting
No. 7 seed Lauren Davis gets her Strasbourg campaign started against French qualifier Sarah Iliev. Davis has struggled on the clay throughout her career, and this year is no different. This week is crucial for her to gain confidence ahead of Roland Garros. Iliev is just 16 years old and will be playing in her first WTA match. She came through two impressive three-set qualifying matches to reach the main draw. Iliev has the tools to have a successful career, but I do not think she has the consistency to beat Davis.
Prediction: Davis in 2
Alize Cornet vs Viktoriya Tomova
Head-to-Head: Cornet 1-1 Tomova
Former World No. 11 Alize Cornet is looking to get some valuable clay-court matches under her belt ahead of the 2023 French Open. She opens this event against 28-year-old Bulgarian Viktoriya Tomova. Cornet has had an up-and-down season and has just one win against a top-100 player in 2023. Tomova has had an equally challenging season but has had some success at the ITF level. I do not believe much separates these two in their current forms. In a back-and-forth battle, I give the slight edge to the Frenchwoman. The crowd and her experience will help carry her to victory.
Prediction: Cornet in 3
Main Photo Credit: Matthias Hauer/GEPA via USA TODAY Sports
