The second day of the WTA 250 event in Cleveland has many exciting matchups. The draw is filled with talent despite the tournament following two consecutive Masters 1000 events. Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens is one of those who will be taking to the court. We also predict the other Day 2 matches in Cleveland, split between two other articles–featuring Caroline Garcia vs Linda Fruhvirtova and Nadia Podoroska vs Veronika Kudermetova.
WTA Cleveland Day 2 Predictions
Barbora Krejcikova vs Clara Tauson
Head-to-head: Krejcikova 1-0 Tauson
Krejcikova entered the Cleveland draw after her first tournament since Wimbledon in Cincinnati ended in a first round exit to Victoria Azarenka. It has been a mixed season for the 2021 French Open champion, with a title in Dubai to her name, but also many surprising losses. Tauson is just 20 years old. But despite that she is seeking to rediscover the title winning form she had in 2021. The Dane has been largely short of victories lately herself. Her game could trouble Krejcikova in spells, but the second seed in Cleveland is likely to prevail.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Xiyu Wang vs Julia Grabher
Head-to-head: First meeting
On paper this is a good opportunity for both players to reach the next round. Both women have had a lot of difficult results this season. However, Grabher’s last tournament was a title win at an ITF event. Although the level is not the same as a WTA 250 event, it should give her some confidence. Wang has struggled a lot this year. She was inside the Top 50 at the start of January, but her ranking has dropped considerably. This is not an easy one to call. Grabher may just be feeling a little more confident and refreshed after not playing last week in Cincinnati, and winning on the ITF Circuit.
Prediction: Grabher in 3
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Katerina Siniakova vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Head-to-head: Sorribes Tormo 2-1 Siniakova
Siniakova’s form has dipped recently. She has lost all three of her hard court matches since Wimbledon, and her performances have been nowhere close to what she is capable of. Sorribes Tormo did win the last time these two faced on a hard court, although that was two years ago in Montreal. The Spaniard is a great competitor on all surfaces. But in general she is most comfortable by a considerable margin on clay, as shown by her run to the fourth round of this year’s French Open. Although Siniakova has not been at her best recently, her mini-slump has a good chance of ending in Cleveland.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
Sloane Stephens vs Lauren Davis
Head-to-head: Davis 4-2 Stephens
Davis is something of a bogey player for Stephens. She has beaten her compatriot twice this year, including a couple of weeks ago in Washington. Davis is capable of being very aggressive off her backhand. That has troubled Stephens as the backhand is her weaker wing, and she often gets pinned on that side against Davis. The former US Open champion has been playing the better tennis in general recently though, with two round of 16 runs in Montreal and Cincinnati. That included a win from a set down against Caroline Garcia. It is far from a guarantee, but Stephens with the bit of momentum she has could just have enough this time to beat Davis in Cleveland.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
