It has been an exciting opening three days at WTA Cluj-Napoca, with many upsets. The draw is very open and there is a great opportunity for one of the remaining players to win a title before the end of the season. There are five round-of-16 matches scheduled on day 4 in Romania. As always, we at LWOT provide our predictions and analysis for all the matches. But who do you think will progress to the quarterfinals?
WTA Cluj-Napoca Day 4 Predictions
Jill Teichmann vs Emiliana Arango
Head-to-head: Teichmann 2-0 Arango
Teichmann got a great win against Yanina Wickmayer in the opening round. It has been a very difficult season for the Swiss player, who has tumbled down the rankings is now outside the Top 100. She will be frustrated that good level came so late in the season but better late than never. She also gets the edge in this matchup. Teichmann winning both their previous meetings is part of the reason for this. But Arango is also more comfortable on clay. The Colombian is not incapable of playing on hardcourts and has had some good results on the surface in her career. However, Teichmann should win if she shows any of the form from the last round.
Prediction: Teichmann in 2
Tamara Korpatsch vs Jodie Burrage
Head-to-head: Korpatsch 1-0 Burrage
These two met just a few weeks ago at the Ningbo Open. Korpatsch won that contest in straight sets with a very impressive showing. Yet it is still hard to pick a winner in this match. Both women play a similar aggressive style of tennis that is well suited to the conditions at WTA Cluj-Napoca. Burrage is given the smallest of advantages for this matchup. It has been a great season of recovery for the Briton and she may just finish with a flourish, but in truth, this is too difficult to call and could easily go either way.
Prediction: Burrage in 3
Anna Bondar vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse
Head-to-head: Bondar 1-1 Gabriela-Ruse
This is a fantastic opportunity right at the end of the season for both players. Each woman is currently ranked outside the Top 100 and will fancy their chances of reaching the quarterfinal. In addition, Bondar and Gabriela-Ruse have a preference for clay, with their best results coming on the dirt. There is also not a huge difference in playing styles. What could be the difference? The home Romanian crowd supporting Gabriela Ruse. It has been a very long season and that backing from her fans might be the thing that gives her a very slight edge to get over the line.
Prediction: Gabriela Ruse in 3
Eva Lys vs Jaqueline Cristian
Head-to-head: First meeting
Both players have been in decent form lately. Cristian has been consistently winning matches on the WTA 125 circuit and carried that momentum in her first-round victory against Celine Naef. However, Lys’ solid results have been on the WTA main tour, where she has picked up some solid wins. Lys can be slightly inconsistent at times. Yet she is likely to have the edge in this battle. Cristian is playing well and late-season upsets can happen as this tournament has shown. But still expect Lys to be slightly too good in the conditions at WTA Cluj-Napoca.
Prediction: Lys in 2
Ana Bogdan vs Nikola Bartunkova
Head-to-head: First meeting
17-year-old Nikola Bartunkova is already a player to watch for the future. Her natural talent is immense and she proved that with a win against Dayana Yastremska in the opening round. The Czech teenager was so solid throughout the match and repeatedly drew errors from the Ukrainian. Can she also upset Bogdan at her home tournament? It cannot be ruled out. A big crowd being totally supportive of her opponent at a WTA 250 event may be a phenomenon that takes Bartunkova some time to get used too. Bogdan is the favourite, but do not rule Bartunkova out of this clash in Cluj-Napoca.
Prediction: Bogdan in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
