The WTA grass season continues with a stop in Birmingham, Great Britain, for the 2023 Rothesay Classic. This 32-woman draw has welcomed some terrific players to its grounds looking to gain some form ahead of the third Slam of the season. No. 1 seed Barbora Krejcikova gets her grass-court season started on Day 2 in Birmingham with a match against Cristina Bucsa. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings around Birmingham. We split the day’s other matches between two articles, featuring Jelena Ostapenko vs Linda Noskova and Harriet Dart vs Jodie Burrage. But who will advance?
WTA Birmingham Day 2 Predictions
Ana Bogdan vs Sorana Cirstea
Head-to-Head: Bogdan 2-0 Cirstea
Countrywomen Ana Bogdan and Sorana Cirstea will square off for the third time on Tuesday in Birmingham. Bogdan holds the 2-0 head-to-head advantage, though they have not played in over six years. Cirstea has had a much better 2023 season but comes into this match amidst a cold spell. She has lost three consecutive matches for the first time in five months. Bogdan, on the other hand, has already won two matches in Birmingham after coming through qualifying to reach the main draw. Neither player has a strong history on the grass, making this match tough to pick. I give the slight edge to Cirstea because of her ability to raise her level during crucial points.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Tereza Martincova vs Viktoriya Tomova
Head-to-Head: Martincova 2-1 Tomova
Tereza Martincova and Viktoriya Tomova will square off for the fourth time and second this year. Tomova bested Martincova in the Zaragoza final just two months back. We should see another competitive match when they meet on Day 2 in Birmingham. Neither woman has much of a history on the grass, but Martincova’s attacking style of play lends itself to this surface. She will deal with her fair share of unforced errors, but I expect her to find the finish line in this Round 1 battle.
Prediction: Martincova in 3
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Barbora Krejcikova vs Cristina Bucsa
Head-to-Head: Krejcikova 0-1 Bucsa
No. 1 seed Barbora Krejcikova gets her grass-court season started with a match against Cristina Bucsa. Krejcikova has played just eight career tour-level matches on the grass and will use these next two weeks as a valuable lead-up to Wimbledon. Bucsa worked through two qualifying matches to reach the main draw in Birmingham. However, before those two victories, she had lost six consecutive matches. Bucsa has never won a WTA grass-court match, nor has she beaten a player ranked as high as Krejcikova. The Czech should roll past the young Spaniard on Tuesday.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
