We’ll get a Wimbledon rematch on Day 1 of the WTA Mubadala Citi Open in Washington as Victoria Azarenka and Elina Svitolina lock horns in a must-see first-round match. Who do you think will advance? We also look at the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article.
WTA Washington Day 1 Predictions
Liudmila Samsonova vs Danielle Collins
Head-to-head: first meeting
The phrase tennis is a game of fine margins couldn’t be more true in relation to Samsonova’s season. It’s a bit mindboggling that one or two points can decide the fate of a player’s season. Those missed championship points by the Russian in the Abu Dhabi final have certainly thrown her off her game.
Since mid-February, the number of matches that Samsonova has won can be counted on both hands. It’s not like Danielle Collins has had a spectacular season, but she will fancy her chances. this is not the Samsonova that had half of the women’s tour on her palms last summer. She could be here for the taking, and Collins is no slouch on these courts.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Daria Kasatkina vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: Kasatkina 3-2 Mertens
It’s been a season that began with so much promise for Daria Kasatkina. But as she embarks for the start of the North American swing, she’ll look back with regret at the missed opportunity of landing her first WTA title in Palermo. Mertens has played some solid tennis this season, even beating Kasatkina in Miami in the first quarter of the season. She also earned a Top 10 win at the French Open, knocking off Jessica Pegula in straight sets. But the whit and whimsy that gives Kasatkina’s game some bite have caused Mertens’ counterpunching style major problems in the past. Expect that to unfold again with the Russian returning to winning ways.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
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Victoria Azarenka vs Elina Svitolina
Head-to-head: Azarenka 5-1 Svitolina
Victoria Azarenka and Elina Svitolina cranked up the temperature the last time they faced off at Wimbledon. It’s a real shame the postmatch handshake that was never going to happen was the major talking point of an otherwise terrific match. Azarenka doesn’t lose to Svitolina quite often; in fact, she was 5-0 in the head-to-head before Wimbledon.
She should have closed out that match in straight sets. But credit to the Ukrainian who played some courageous tennis under so much pressure of desiring to put a little happiness to her nation. Svitolina looks like an uber-confident player since her return, adding an aggressive style to her game, and is reaping handsome rewards. However, Azarenka is almost unflappable on hard courts and she’ll get her revenge.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
