There are many fun matches to be enjoyed on Day 2 of the main at the WTA Hamburg European Open. The sixth seed Yulia Putinsteva is one of the players in action. We have a separate article with predictions for the other WTA matches in Hamburg. Which players do you think will advance to the next round?
WTA Hamburg Day 2 Predictions
Diana Shnaider vs Polina Kudermetova
Head-to-head: Kudermetova 1-0 Shnaider
Both players are ranked outside the Top 100, meaning any win in the main draw of a WTA 250 event is hugely valuable. Shnaider experienced that feeling in a stunning upset of #1 seed Bernarda Pera last week at the Hungarian Open. She was soundly beaten by Maria Timofeeva in the next round but that is nothing to be ashamed of as she went on to win the title. Very often lower ranked players struggle to back up their most notable wins with positive results the next week. I think Shnaider’s best tennis is better than Kudermetova’s so I will back her. But I do not predict that with certainty.
Prediction: Shnaider in 3
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Kaja Juvan vs Kaia Kanepi
Head-to-head: First meeting
38-year-old Kaia Kanepi’s longevity and love for tennis is quite inspiring to watch. She won at an ITF event in the Netherlands last week to build some momentum for this tournament. But Juvan is playing well too. It took the eventual champion Timofeeva to stop her last week at the Hungarian Open in three sets in the quarterfinals and she dropped just three games in her last qualifying match in Hamburg. Kanepi is still a good match for most when near her best and she will not make it easy. But I think the younger Juvan is playing a little too well at the moment and will win.
Prediction: Juvan in 2
Jule Niemeier vs Ella Seidel
Head-to-head: First meeting
The 18-year-old German Seidel won her first ITF event this month in Stuttgart. This took her to a career high ranking of #303. She has a long and exciting career ahead of her, but it is hard to make a case for Seidel overcoming her compatriot Niemeier. The #105 ranked German has not played since Wimbledon and has not had a particularly good year. However this should be the ideal match for her to get a win on the board and some confidence. This match is also being played on Centre Court, which will likely take Seidel longer to adjust too than her opponent who has played on that court in the past.
Prediction: Niemeier in 2
Yulia Putinsteva vs Elsa Jacquemot
Head-to-head: First meeting
It has been a frustrating year for the sixth seed Putinsteva. She has been unable to find any consistency and has her lowest win percentage for a season since 2015 so far. One of her two WTA titles did come in the post-Wimbledon clay court swing and she will be looking for some kind of inspiration. She should have enough to get a needed win in her first round match. 20-year-old Jacquemot is ranked just inside the Top 200 and she has done well to get through qualifying. However Putinsteva should be an increase in quality that is too much for the Frenchwoman despite the two-time WTA champion not enjoying her best year.
Prediction: Putinsteva in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
