Often called “Gaibledon,” the Veneto Open in Gaiba, Italy is a WTA 125 event for the second year in a row. Will it be as fascinating as last year when Sara Errani pulled off a magical run to the final? A few exciting matches are already coming on Sunday, who do you think will make the next round?
WTA Gaiba Day 1 Predictions
Yue Yuan vs Na-Lae Han
Head-to-head: Han 1-0
Despite a pretty long career already with about 700 pro matches under her belt, Na-Lae Han only played on grass six times. In all three Wimbledon qualifying appearances, she never managed a round. While Yue Yuan hasn’t really done all that well herself on this surface, she was a lucky loser in London last year and did pretty okay playing Polina Kudermetova in Hertogenbosch last week. Slim pickings, but that’s the sort of intel we have on many players on grass at the moment with it taking just a small part of the year.
Prediction: Yuan in 3
Olga Danilovic vs Alessandra Teodosescu
Head-to-head: First meeting
Alessandra Teodosescu currently sits at World No. 35 in the ITF junior rankings, despite being just 16 years old. The Italian has only played a handful of pro matches so far though, not getting through a single round in the main draw. While Olga Danilovic doesn’t have much grass experience either, it seems like there is a difference in quality here and with the Serbian coming off a huge run at the French Open, she should be oozing confidence right now.
Prediction: Danilovic in 2
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Ana Konjuh vs Lisa Pigato
Head-to-head: First meeting
Lisa Pigato’s only previous match on grass came in Gaiba last year when she got blown out by Diane Parry. The draw hasn’t been too kind to her again with another powerful player. Ana Konjuh hasn’t touched this surface since 2021, but she has already managed a few runs at Wimbledon in her career and even won Nottingham back in 2015. Her game suits fast courts and she should be able to control the match against Pigato without much trouble.
Prediction: Konjuh in 2
Sofia Kenin vs Tamara Zidansek
Head-to-head: First meeting
Sofia Kenin seems to constantly go from a great performance to a disaster, there’s just no B-game from the American recently. However, this is a really nice draw for her. Tamara Zidansek has a pretty extreme forehand grip that helps her to generate spin on clay, but it can be rushed when it’s quicker. Perhaps particularly in Gaiba, where the courts have been said to produce a number of bad bounces that goes well beyond what the players are used to on the tour.
Prediction: Kenin in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
