The WTA 250 event in Cleveland began yesterday. It is the final tournament for players to find form before the US Open begins next week. Fans have the added bonus of seeing US Open semifinalist and WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia in action, who accepted a wildcard into the event. We at LWOT have articles with predictions for the other matches in Cleveland–this includes Sloane Stephens vs Lauren Davis and Nadia Podoroska vs Veronika Kudermetova. Who do you think will advance to the next round?
WTA Cleveland Day 2 Predictions
Emma Navarro vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Head-to-head: First meeting
Navarro has had the better season of these two players. The 22-year-old recently won her first tournament at WTA 125 level. However, this was on clay. The more experienced Sasnovich is ranked lower than Navarro after a less than perfect season. But she has shown more comfort on hard courts throughout her career, with all four of her finals at WTA 250 level or above being on hard courts. And she was the runner-up in Cleveland last year. Navarro on the other hand usually plays best on clay. It is not a guarantee, but Sasnovich’s hard court credentials and previous success in Cleveland give her the edge.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
Magdalena Frech vs Jasmine Paolini
Head-to-head: Frech 1-0 Paolini
It has been a really positive few weeks for the Italian. Paolini reached the final of her home tournament on the clay courts of Palermo. She has continued her momentum from that run on the hard courts, with a third round and quarterfinal appearances in the Montreal and Cincinnati Masters. Frech does not carry the same form. The Pole had some good wins during the grass court season, but has not managed too many results of note since then. Paolini is very solid in almost every match she plays, and that style is suited to avoiding early round losses currently. She is likely to have an advantage in Cleveland.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
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Anhelina Kalnina vs Ana Bogdan
Head-to-head: First meeting
Kalnina had a very tough loss to Ons Jabeur last week in Cincinnati, losing from 5-2 up in the final set with two breaks of serve. But she did show in that contest how dangerous she can be for top players when at her best. The Ukrainian had not been in great in form before that match, and it will be interesting to observe if she is negatively effected by that loss, or if she takes the many positives from her performance. Bogdan lost in qualifying in Cincinncati. But has played some nice tennis at times this season, including a title win at a WTA 125 tournament and a third round appearance at Wimbledon. A Bogdan victory is not an impossibility, but Kalnina is likely to have an edge in Cleveland with her better all-round game.
Prediction: Kalinina in 2
Caroline Garcia vs Linda Fruhvirtova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Garcia is desperately seeking form, which is why she made a late decision to enter the Cleveland draw. The French #1 is having a difficult year, with the last few months being especially tough. She usually plays well for spells in matches but then has periods of making consistent unforced errors. That is why she has lot a lot of tight matches this season. This is a good opportunity for Garcia to get a morale boosting win. 18-year-old Fruhvirtova is very talented and will have a long and successful career in the sport. However she has not been in great form herself recently, and Garcia’s powerful game should overwhelm her if it is working to any degree.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
