It’s comeback time for Paula Badosa, whose 2023 season was extremely stop-start with all the injuries and she actually hasn’t been able to compete since Wimbledon. Her first-round opponent at the WTA Adelaide International will be Bernarda Pera. Who do you think will come out on top? We also predict the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article.
WTA Adelaide Day 1 Predictions
Jasmine Paolini vs Cristina Bucsa
Head-to-head: Paolini 2-0
Jasmine Paolini is coming off the best season of her career and it won’t be easy to follow that up. Her United Cup performances were pretty good though with a three-set loss to Caroline Garcia and a win over Angelique Kerber that she managed to get despite cramping near the end. That pocket-rocket power she unleashed there was majestic and while she doesn’t always show it, she’s definitely getting more comfortable using her forehand as a weapon. The Italian defeated Cristina Bucsa pretty comfortably at Cincinnati last year and should do so again.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Katie Boulter vs Lesia Tsurenko
Head-to-head: Tsurenko 3-0
Lesia Tsurenko had a fascinating season in 2023, winning over 50% of her return points and posting the same stats as World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in this regard. Of course her serve game isn’t quite as threatening and in fact statistically the weakest of the top 50, but she was still able to get very high in the rankings despite several withdrawals and retirements. She often struggles when she’s facing some truly in-form players though and that’s exactly what Katie Boulter is right now, having taken down Jessica Pegula at the United Cup and finding herself on a 4-0 start to the year.
Prediction: Boulter in 3
Paula Badosa vs Bernarda Pera
Head-to-head: Badosa 1-0
Bernarda Pera lost in the final qualifying round to Katerina Siniakova, making her way to the main draw as a lucky loser. She’s getting a winnable matchup here, although that likely won’t be decided by her own level. Paula Badosa will be competing for the first time since Wimbledon. While she still had moments of exhibiting top-10 quality last year, her season was just ruined by injuries here. It won’t be easy but if she’s able to return in decent shape, she’ll be the favorite over Pera on a fairly quick hard court.
Prediction: Badosa in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
