The third edition of the WTA Warsaw Open was marred with off-court controversy even before a ball was struck. But we hope tennis will be the focus of attention in the next seven days. Main draw action begins with four matches on Monday, including an intriguing clash of style between Camila Giorgi and Tatjana Maria. Who will advance?
WTA Warsaw Day 1 Predictions
Laura Siegemund vs Maja Chwalinska
Head-to-head: first meeting
Maja Chwalinska has a wild card at her home tournament for the second year in a row. Last year, she scored her second WTA main draw win when she upset Rebeka Masarova in the opening round. But 12 months ago, the event was contested on clay, and the switch to hard courts this season might be a big flow for the 21-year-old Pole’s chances. She hasn’t played on hard since last summer’s US Open qualifying. Laura Siegemund is not the player she once was at her absolute pomp, but she will bring her skills and experience to bear.
Prediction: Siegemund in 3
Nao Hibino vs Yanina Wickmayer
Head-to-head: Hibino 1-1 Wickmayer
Nao Hibino and Yanina Wickmayer make their living off the main tour these days. Hibino has won a W25 ITF title while Wickmayer has been far more convincing winning three titles, spread across all three surfaces, including two W100 tournaments. With a bigger serve and a more controlled backhand, Wickmayer has by far the bigger weapons to win this match.
Prediction: Wickmayer in 3
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Kristina Kucova vs Viktoria Hruncakova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Kristina Kucova was ranked in the top 100 at the start of 2022. However, her form fell off a cliff in the last 18 months, as is her dwindling WTA ranking which is now closer to 500. She looked like she was onto something in an ITF tournament on home soil in Trnava a few months ago until injury cruelly took away her momentum. At 33, she is not getting any younger. She has a tough opener against compatriot Hruncakova who has enjoyed a resurgent year on the main tour, reaching her first WTA semifinal since 2019 in Den Bosch. The higher-ranked Slovak is the clear-cut favorite in this one.
Prediction: Hruncakova in 2
Camila Giorgi vs Tatjana Maria
Head-to-head: Giorgi 1-1 Maria
The match of the day in Warsaw is a clash of styles. While Camila Giorgi prefers a fast and electric brand of tennis, Maria loves feeding off her opponents’ pace. The German has the sort of game to disrupt a power hitter like Giorgi, who can occasionally bite more than she can chew with her frenetic ground strokes. If Giorgi is dialed in and cuts her errors, she has the capability of tearing Maria’s slice to shreds. But that form has been on display intermittently this season, once when she won Merida and the other during her semifinal run in Eastbourne. Giorgi will likely have this match under control, but it wouldn’t shock anybody if Maria’s style forces her to overhit.
Prediction: Giorgi in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
