After an incredible Wimbledon, tennis never stops. WTA stars set their sights on Palermo this week, featuring multiple Top 30 players looking to grab a WTA 250 title and young stars looking to make a breakthrough. All of the action begins on Monday, with multiple Italians looking to represent their country in front of a home crowd. Although Palermo is a smaller tournament with more of an outside court atmosphere than a stadium, home fans will certainly be loud and proud supporting the Italians.
WTA Palermo Day 1 Predictions
Tessah Andrianjafitrimo vs Nuria Brancaccio
Head-to-head: First meeting
A new matchup alert, with two qualifiers looking to snatch a treasured WTA pro-level win. Andrianjafirimo fought through valiantly in a tough qualifying match, winning the final set 7-5. Brancaccio also had to qualify as the top seed, winning far more comfortably 6-1 6-2. In addition to her quick win indicating good form, she’s won two WTA pro-level matches in Bogota, and has the crowd on her side as the home favorite. Brancaccio is pushing through a transition phase from ITF to WTA pro level, whereas her French opponent has somewhat stagnated at ITF level.
Prediction: Brancaccio in 2
[cta id=4014 type=cta]
Camilla Rosatello vs Viktorija Golubic
Head-to-head: Golubic 1-0
This is another matchup featuring a home crowd hero against a fellow European player. Unfortunately for Rosatello, Golubic is very experienced on the WTA tour. She’s picked up two top 10 wins and was able to clinch a WTA 250 title in 2016. While the Swiss player hasn’t been in great form, her consistent forehand and unique one-handed backhand should pull her through comfortably. Rosatello is aiming for her first WTA victory and has yet to crack the top 300.
Prediction: Golubic in 2
Diane Parry vs Aurora Zantedesch
Head-to-head: First meeting
A third relatively unknown Italian will make her WTA main draw debut, with Zantedesch taking on Diane Parry. Zantedesch had moderate success on the ITF circuit in 2021, but hasn’t been able to play her best in 2023. She sits just outside the top 600, with Parry meanwhile comfortably able to enter main draws of most WTA events. Zantedesch played some fantastic tennis in qualifying, winning 6-0 6-3 in her final round on Sunday. With some extra hunger and motivation, alongside Parry’s potential to be nervous as the heavy favorite, this could be a messy three-setter.
Prediction: Parry in 3
Clara Burel vs Julia Grabher
Head-to-head: First meeting
Grabher will definitely be happy to be back on her favored clay courts, especially after she made her first WTA final in Rabat. However, ever since her heartbreaking loss to Bronzetti in Rabat, she’s compiled a 1-4 record. Most likely dealing with a lack of confidence, such could make things tricky for Grabher. Meanwhile, Burel is no easy task compared to Italian wildcards; the Frenchwoman picked up an ITF title earlier this month only dropping one set. Going for the upset on this one, with Grabher possibly dealing with some pressure.
Prediction: Burel in 3
Qinwen Zheng vs Sara Errani
Head-to-head: First meeting
While nowhere compared to the popcorn matches of high-tier tournaments, this is certainly a popcorn match for the Palermo event. Errani played well in the inaugural Palermo event in 2020, yet crashed out discouragingly in the first round last year, winning only one game. Errani demonstrated some strong tennis over the season at ITF level, but she hasn’t been able to forge ahead to WTA pro-level success. Meanwhile, Zheng hasn’t been in great form herself, riding a four-match losing streak. It may take a while with rust a potential factor, but Zheng should be able to find her offensive game against Errani’s slow and deep groundstrokes.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
