The WTA half of the 2023 National Bank Open is being played in Montreal. The first day of main draw action already brings us some thrilling clashes. 16th-seeded Victoria Azarenka takes on Magda Linette, who’s situated just six spots lower in the WTA Rankings. We also look at the rest of the day’s matches, split between two articles. One features Venus Williams vs Madison Keys and the second features Daria Kasatkina vs Elise Mertens. Who do you think will prevail?
WTA Montreal Day 1 Predictions
Jasmine Paolini vs Donna Vekic
Head-to-head: 1-1
Donna Vekic is back to playing at a basically Top 20 level with two WTA Tour finals this year already (and an Australian Open quarterfinal). The aggressive ball-striking can be a little hard to maintain with consistency, but she should be dominating the rallies here against Jasmine Paolini. While she actually lost to the Italian in Cincinnati two years ago (also a rather fast hard court), it feels like she’s in a different spot in her career right now.
Prediction: Vekic in 2
Marie Bouzkova vs Kayla Day
Head-to-head: 1-1
Marie Bouzkova is coming off a disappointing early exit in Prague, where she was defending the title. Can she bounce back? Years ago she actually double-bageled Kayla Day, but that was when they were 15/16 years old. The American got her revenge also a while back and might have another decent shot at Bouzkova. She’s more of a question mark but will be carrying a lot of good rhythm coming from the qualifying draw.
Prediction: Day in 3
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Varvara Gracheva vs Sorana Cirstea
Head-to-head: Cirstea 1-0
The only previous meeting between these two ended in a double bagel early in 2022. That doesn’t sound promising for Varvara Gracheva, but this current season has been the best one of her career. Both players were actually incredible around Sunshine Double, but haven’t been posting any spectacular results since. Of the two, Cirstea is definitely the one who’s been able to maintain her disposition a bit more, while not necessarily getting rewarded for it.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2
Victoria Azarenka vs Magda Linette
Head-to-head: Azarenka 2-1
There’s some uncertainty regarding both players with Victoria Azarenka coming off two consecutive losses to Elina Svitolina, while Magda Linette has been sitting out since Wimbledon. It feels like the Belarusian’s level was pretty high in these defeats, though, and she deserves to be named as the favorite there. However, Linette has already taken her out in Miami this year, beating her for the first time. Azarenka shouldn’t have it all that easy here.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
