It promises to be an entertaining day four at the WTA Monastir with four intriguing second-round matches on the schedule in Tunisia. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate. But who will book their place in the quartefinals?
WTA Monastir Day 4 Predictions
Clara Burel vs Erika Andreeva
Head-to-head: Burel 1-1 Andreeva
Clara Burel made a sharp start at the WTA Monastir Open, dismissing Spain’s Cristina Bucsa for the loss of only four games in the first round. Erika Andreeva, who scored a similarly decisive win over Darja Semenistaja, should b expected to offer more resistance to the eighth seed. But although the head-to-head is tied at one win apiece, there can be little doubt that the Frenchwoman is the better player, with Andreeva’s victory coming via a retirement. This may well go the distance, but it would be a real surprise if the eighth seed doesn’t book her spot in the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Burel in 3
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Jasmine Paolini vs Petra Marcinko
Head-to-head: first meeting
Jasmine Paolini demonstrated why she is the top seed at the WTA Monastir with an accomplished 6-4 6-2 win over Alize Cornet in the first round, passing what had looked like a tricky first-round test with flying colours. Petra Marcinko, meanwhile, continued her excellent recent form by beating Marina Bissols Ribero in straight sets, 7-6 6-2, to stretch her winning streak to six matches. Unfortunately for the Croatian, Paolini is a cut above the opposition she has faced in her last six matches.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
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Katarina Zavatska vs Nuria Parrizas Diaz
Head-to-head: Parrizas Diaz 1-0 Zavatska
Katarina Zavatska has had to work hard for her spot in the second round in Monastir, beating Despina Papamichail, in a hard-fought three setter, and Nikola Kostic to book her place in the main draw, before getting the better of Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. She will now be looking to take down another Spaniard in Nuria Parrizas Diaz. But Parrizas Diaz is surely full of confidence after beating Magdalena Frech in her opener and should have enough to account for the Ukrainian.
Prediction: Parrizas Diaz in 3
Lesia Tsurenko vs Claire Liu
Head-to-head: Tsurenko 2-0 Liu
Lesia Tsurenko has won both of their previous matches, but Claire Liu continues to improve – particularly on hard courts – with this match far from a foregone conclusion. The Ukrainian is probably the favourite, in part because of her experience and in part because of how well she played in beating Chloe Pacquet in the first round. Liu also looked sharp in her opener, however, getting the better of her compatriot Emina Bektas 6-2 7-6. Ulitmately, however, though Liu is probably closing the gap on Tsurenko, at this stage in their respective careers, it is hard not to like the Ukrainian’s chances.
Prediction: Tsurenko in 3
Main photo credit: Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
