The second day of WTA matches in Hamburg contains several excellent matchups. Third seed Bernarda Pera is one of the players in action on a day with several matches being played. We also have a separate article with predictions for the rest of the day’s matches. Which players do you think will progress to the next round?
WTA Hamburg Day 2 Predictions
Noma Akugue Noha vs Laura Pigossi
Head-to-head: Pigossi 1-0 Akugue Noha
Home favourite Akugue Noha is a talented 19-year-old and clay is her favoured surface. 2023 has seen the German make slow and steady progress and reached a career high ranking of #197 last week. Pigossi has been ranked inside the Top 100 but is quite far off that at the moment. The Brazilian does have a WTA final to her name, showing she can be dangerous when she hits top form. I expect Akugue Noha to produce some flashes of her talent, but think the Brazilian will just about hang tough enough to win.
Prediction: Pigossi in 3
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Viktoriya Tomova vs Nadia Podoroska
Head-to-head: Podoroska 2-0 Tomova
Both these women like to play on clay the most. Tomova has had a pretty quiet season, with just one Challenger title to her name, although this was on clay. The Argentine Podoroska had a very encouraging run last week at the Hungarian open, only being stopped in the semifinals by the inspired Maria Timofeeva. I expect her to use that momentum well here. In addition Podoroska’s playing style is troublesome for Tomova as is reflected in their head-to-head record. The Argentine to win.
Prediction: Podoroska in 2
Kamilla Rakhimova vs Camila Osorio
Head-to-head: Osorio 1-0 Rakhimova
Both players are inside the Top 100 and close in ranking. It is a hard match to call. Osorio has slightly better form after a good run to the quarterfinals in Palermo last week, while Rakhimova suffered a shock first round exit. Rakhimova has a big and dangerous game when she is firing on all cylinders but does not always produce it, making her a difficult player to predict. I am backing Osorio to edge it with a slightly more consistent brand of tennis. She also won their only previous match on clay.
Prediction: Osorio in 3
Julia Grabher vs Miriam Bulgaru
Head-to-head: First meeting
The Romanian Bulgaru reached a career high ranking of #215 last week and will be delighted to have made the main draw. Her two finals on the ITF Circuit have come on clay and it is the surface that she plays her best tennis on. But it will be a very stiff challenge to overcome Grabher. The Austrian did suffer a disappointing first round exit last week but she is still a clay court specialist that is ranked close to the Top 50. The intensity and consistency of her tennis should have too much for her opponent who is inexperienced at this level.
Prediction: Grabher in 2
Bernarda Pera vs Zeynep Sonmez
Head-to-head: First meeting
Sonmez will be feeling good about her game after beating the fourth seed in qualifying to reach the main draw. The Turkish player is currently ranked outside the Top 200 and competing against the third seed in the main draw Pera will be a very helpful experience for her regardless of the result. Pera is looking to bounce back after a shock defeat as the #1 seed at the Hungarian Open last week. On paper this is the ideal match for her to regain some of that momentum. If she plays near her best victory should come relatively comfortably.
Prediction: Pera in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
