Wimbledon is over. In its wake, we’ve been given the mini-clay-court-swing to keep us going. This week, the WTA Tour in Budapest as we look to predict four of the round of 16 matches in the Hungarian capital.
WTA Budapest Day 4 Predictions
Anna Siskova vs Nadia Podoroska
Head-to-head: First meeting
Anna Siskova will struggle to keep up with the level Nadia Podoroska brings to the court. She has won two out of her 15 top 200 matches with Podoroska the highest-ranked of the lot.
Despite Podoroska being a little off her best tennis, the Argentine has still beaten some top quality players this year. There may be a few highs and lows to get through but history suggests Siskova won’t be able to maintain the level to pull this off.
Prediction: Podoroska in 3
Maria Timofeeva vs Diana Shnaider
Head-to-head: First meeting
Diana Shnaider’s win over Bernarda Pera was an absolute statement of intent. The American was the defending champion here–to beat her in straight sets hitting with consistently impressive power has made Shnaider’s presence at the Budapest Grand Prix abundantly clear.
Maria Timofeeva is here by virtue of a lucky loser spot. We don’t think Shnaider’s level is likely to dip against her compatriot.
Prediction: Shnaider in 2
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Amarissa Toth vs Kateryna Baindl
Head-to-head: First meeting
Though Amarissa Toth got through Shuai Zhang due to the second seed’s retirement, she actually showed a lot of promise in that match. She has great movement and depth to her strokes–on home soil, this could make her tough to defeat.
Kateryna Baindl is looking to build some momentum and actually could be a bit off-rhythm. The power disparity will probably be too much in the end but it won’t be a win without its hitches.
Prediction: Baindl in 3
Elina Avanesyan vs Anna Bondar
Head-to-head: Bondar 1-0 Avanesyan
Elina Avanesyan is clearly a very talented up and coming player. She’s won more than double the matches she’s lost on clay throughout her career and she defeated Belinda Bencic at this year’s French Open.
We’re not underrating the trajectory of Anna Bondar, however. The home-hope will feel comfortable in her own backyard and her stock has risen over the course of the last 52 weeks. The 26-year-old seems to be coming into her own fairly late in her career–we think she can make Ananesyan overheat with the crowd behind her.
Prediction: Bondar in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
