Some second-round matches at the WTA Poland Open in Warsaw were suspended due to rain and will be completed on Thursday. So the schedule will have seven matches in total including the match between Claire Liu and Yue Yuan finely poised in the second set. Predictions of the suspended matches are in a separate article, and we also look ahead at the clash between French Open finalist Karolina Muchova and Rebecca Sramkova. Who do you think will advance?
WTA Warsaw Day 4 Predictions
Heather Watson vs Yuliya Hatouka
Head-to-head: first meeting
With a spate of forced withdrawals, Heather Watson earned a direct entry into the main draw. And the former British No. 1 staged a big upset by beating Bad Homburg champion Katerina Siniakova in straight sets in her opener. The danger that Watson possesses throughout her career is that she is at her best when the pressure is off her shoulders. But dealing with the favorite tag invites pressure, and Watson doesn’t do well in that regard. This one could be a struggle against an impressive qualifier.
Prediction: Watson in 3
Jodie Burrage vs Lucrezia Stefanini
Head-to-head: first meeting
Having watched Jodie Burrage during the grass swing, I was slightly bemused it had taken her quite a while to break the Top 100. But at the same time, she would have done it a lot sooner had it not been for a wrist injury she picked up during the clay swing which ruled her out of French Open qualifying. But nonetheless, this is a big match for both Burrage and Lucrezia Stefanini to make the deep end of the draw in Warsaw.
The 25-year-old Italian is knocking at the door of the centurion club, sitting just three spots from the Top 100. A win here could potentially clinch it. Stefanini beat Linda Fruhvirtova in her opening match and is playing with a lot more regulation from the baseline, something Burrage lacked in her win over Ankita Raina.
Prediction: Stefanini in 3
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Karolina Muchova vs Rebecca Sramkova
Head-to-head: Sramkova 1-0 Muchova
The head-to-head is in Sramkova’s favor here, but that win came in a qualifying match for the 2018 French Open, long before Muchova established herself in the top tier. The Slovak has enjoyed a fine week in Warsaw and she’ll play for a maiden quarterfinal spot at Tour level. But it has to be noted that the two players she beat in qualifying and one in the main draw have a mean WTA ranking not exceeding 500. Muchova came within a game of losing to Sasnovich but survived a tricky opener. And one can confidently admit she’ll progressively get better from that match.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
