Day two from the WTA Cluj-Napoca provides some interesting matchups in the first round. Here we take a look at four of the first round matches from the WTA 250 event, and have the other four covered in a separate article. But who will advance?
WTA Cluj-Napoca Day Two
Anna-Lena Friedsam vs Iiona Georgiana Ghioroaie
Head to Head: First meeting
Anna-Lena Friedsam will go into this as the favourite. However, the German’s form has not been too good of late. Early exits in the last two events played in singles never bode well. Friedsam, though is already through to the quarter finals in the doubles, so has experience of the courts. Iiona Ghioraie made the doubles final last week in the ITF event in Romania and will have the crowd on her side.
Prediction: Ghioraie in 3
Ana Bogdan vs Viktoriya Tomova
Head to Head: 1-1
Ana Bogdan is the fifth seed. The Romanian will have the crowd behind her. Bogdan has not been seen on the circuit since the end of September when the seed claimed the WTA 250 title in Parma. The Romanian will be up for the title on home soil. Interestingly enough, Viktoriya Tomova played the same event in Parma and made the quarterfinal stage.
Prediction: Bogdan in 2
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Emiliana Arango vs Jessika Ponchet
Head to Head: 1-0
Jessika Ponchet comes to Romania on the back of an ITF doubles win with Maia Lumsden in Rouen. The French woman lost in the singles in the first round, but will be buoyed by a title. Looking to level up the head-to-head Ponchet will need to dig deep. Emiliana Arango defeated Ponchet in the first qualifying round at Wimbledon this year. This will give the Colombian the confidence that she can overcome her lower-ranked opponent.
Prediction: Ponchet in 3
Greet Minnen vs Daria Snigur
Head to Head: 1-0
As third seed Greet Minnen will be the favourite for this match. The Belgian made the quarterfinal last week in Rouen, so will have confidence on the hard courts. Daria Snigur lost in the first round at the very same event. The Ukranian will be desperate to level the head-to-head and take a win.
Prediction: Minnen in 2
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch – USA TODAY Sports
