The WTA Tour heads south for Cincinnati, Ohio’s Western & Southern Open. This WTA 1000 event welcomes a 56-woman draw and some of the best players in the world to its grounds, including every player ranked inside the top 25. Day 2 in Cincinnati features a loaded slate of matches, with a blockbuster between Caroline Garcia and Sloane Stephens. We here at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings around the grounds of Cincinnati. But who will advance?
WTA Cincinnati Day 2 Predictions
Belinda Bencic vs Cristina Bucsa
Head-to-Head: first meeting
No. 13 seed Belinda Bencic takes on Cristina Bucsa in Round 1 of the Western & Southern Open. Bencic has played terrific tennis this summer, winning eight of 11 matches since the beginning of July. Bucsa comes into this match off two impressive qualifying wins over top-60-ranked opponents. However, Bucsa does not bring enough experience or form for me to have any confidence in her against Bencic. The Swiss should cruise to a straight-set victory.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Danielle Collins vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Head-to-Head: Collins 2-0 Pavlyuchenkova
Coming off her best result of the season, Danielle Collins looks to continue her fine form in Cincinnati. The 29-year-old American reached the quarterfinals of the Canadian Masters last week, picking up her first top-ten win of the year. She takes on Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in Round 1 in Cincinnati. Pavlyuchenkova is playing her first hardcourt match since late March. That said, she is 6-2 in her last eight matches. I like Pavlyuchenkova’s game but believe Collins’ form on hardcourts will be too tough to overcome.
Prediction: Collins in 2
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Jennifer Brady vs Donna Vekic
Head-to-head: Brady 1-1 Vekic
Jennifer Brady and Donna Vekic square off in an intriguing Round 1 match in Cincinnati. Brady, a former top-15 player, returned to the tour two weeks ago after nearly a two-year hiatus. She is 2-2 since her return, with impressive wins over Jelena Ostapenko and Anhelina Kalinina. Vekic comes into this match on a three-match losing streak. She has not won a hardcourt match since late March. I believe Vekic steps up her game for this match, but I think Brady will continue her terrific return to the tour.
Prediction: Brady in 3
Caroline Garcia vs Sloane Stephens
Head-to-head: Garcia 4-2 Stephens
Caroline Garcia and Sloane Stephens square off in a blockbuster Round 2 match at the Western & Southern Open. Garcia holds the 4-2 head-to-head advantage, including wins over Stephens at the 2020 and 2021 Western & Southern Open. That said, Garcia has been incredibly inconsistent this summer. On the other hand, Stephens holds a 16-6 record since May. She is starting to find her previous top-three form and is using her power to her advantage. This will be a very back-and-forth battle, but in the end, I trust Stephens to find the finish line.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
