It’s a busy Day 3 at the WTA 250 in Den Bosch for the Kudermetova sisters, as both Veronika and Polina Kudermetova play on the same day. The top-seeded Kudermetova looks nailed-on to reach the last eight, but her 20-year-old sister faces an uphill battle to join her. Who do you think will come out on top?
WTA Den Bosch Day 3 Predictions
Veronika Kudermetova vs Carol Zhao
Head-to-head: first meeting
Veronika Kudermetova tends to be her own harsh critic. After her French Open shocker against Schmiedlova, there was no time for self-pity and the only way she would come to terms with that loss was by getting a positive result in Den Bosch. And she came out all guns blazing, building a 6-3 3-0 lead before Alison Riske-Amritraj retired due to injury. Opponent Carol Zhao is chasing her first quarterfinal at WTA level. The Canadian has had an awesome week, qualifying for the event and upset Ysaline Bonaventure in the main draw. She hasn’t dropped a set in three matches. Kudermetova will need to raise her level again to avoid shooting herself in the foot for the second tournament in a row.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Aliasksandra Sasnovich vs Greet Minnen
Head-to-head: Sasnovich 1-1 Minnen
This is the hardest call for the day in Den Bosch. They’ve played twice before and both matches went the full distance. Sasnovich has a lot more upswing on grass. She fared decently on the surface last year in the two tournaments she played in, taking a set off Jabeur and Caroline Garcia. Minnen can play expansive attacking tennis and make life difficult for the Belorussian. Three sets look like the order of the day and that could go either way.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
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Liudmila Samsonova vs Polina Kudermetova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Liudmila Samsonova played in one of the longest WTA matches of the season in the first round here, beating German qualifier Lena Papadakis in three hours and 40 minutes. She was 5-3 down in the third set but prevailed 7-6. She’ll take on Polina Kudermetova, the younger sister to Veronika. Polina could do her sister a massive favor by ousting the big-hitting Samsonova who is a contender to win the title this week. The 20-year-old notched her first main draw win by beating Yue Yuan in the first round. On paper, this appears to be a mismatch, and I can’t see the world #141 being an impediment for hard-hitting Samsonova.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Victoria Azarenka vs Ashlyn Krueger
Head-to-head: Azarenka 1-0 Krueger
Victoria Azarenka faced a nettlesome opponent in Natalija Stevanovic but ultimately prevailed in straight sets in her opener. She saved five set points in the first set which she won in a tiebreak and broke to love right at the end of the second to close out the win. She set up a US Open redux against Ashlyn Krueger whom she defeated in three sets last summer. Krueger outplayed Rebecca Peterson here, dropping just three games, in what is her first main draw win on tour. Krueger has the ground game to hang tough with the two-time Major champion, but you suspect Azarenka’s consistency and experience will shine in the end.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
