There is a packed second day of action at the WTA Hobart International, with ten matches on the schedule in Tasmania. There should be plenty of entertaining tennis for the fans to enjoy at the Hobart International Tennis Centre and, as always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Wang Xinyu vs Olivia Gadecki. But who will advance?
WTA Hobart Day 2 Predictions
Martina Trevisan vs Viktoriya Tomova
Head-to-head: Trevisan 1-1 Tomova
Viktoriya Tomova made some strides last year, and she currently sits only slightly below her career-high ranking of #71 in the WTA rankings. Although the Bulgarian has reached most of her ITF Circuit finals on clay, Tomova has improved on hard courts in recent times, and presents a challenge to Martina Trevisan. The Italian is higher-ranked, and did reach the quarterfinal on the Guadalajara WTA 1000 hard courts last season. However, Tomova gets the edge here. Trevisan struggled in a straight sets opening round loss in Brisbane last week, and Tomova’s improvements on hard courts could get her over the line in Hobart.
Prediction: Tomova in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Yulia Putintseva vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Head-to-head: first meeting
Yulia Putinsteva looked strong in qualifying to progress to the main draw stage. She lost to Wang Xinyu last week in the first round in Auckland, but actually played pretty well, and both sets were close. Elisabetta Cocciaretto also has a preference for clay, but is capable of solid tennis on hard courts. Neither player possesses a huge amount of power and this is likely to be a real battle. It is a tough one to call, but Putinsteva gets a narrow edge. Her momentum from the qualifying matches might just be what makes the difference.
Prediction: Putinsteva in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Magdalena Frech vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Head-to-head: Sorribes Tormo 1-0 Frech
Magdalena Frech also came through qualifying at the WTA Hobart International to reach the main draw, winning both matches in straight sets. She started her season last week in Auckland, losing a tight match in three sets to Marie Bouzkova. By contrast, Sara Sorribes Tormo elected to play in the United Cup, representing Team Spain. There is a real clash of styles in this Hobart clash, with Frech’s aggressive and powerful shots contrasting with Sorribes Tormo’s gritty style. The Spaniard won their sole meeting in 2022, but I am giving Frech the edge this time. The courts in Hobart are relatively quick, which should help her slightly more.
Prediction: Frech in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Emma Navarro vs Clara Burel
Head-to-head: Navarro 1-1 Burel
Both women made a positive start to the season last week. Clara Burel won two matches in Brisbane, having her run ended by last year’s Australian Open semifinalist Victoria Azarenka. Emma Navarro went slightly further to the semifinal in Auckland. She was stopped by 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff. Each player usually has a preference for clay, making their good starts to 2024 even more encouraging. In this specific matchup, Navarro’s power might just be too much, but that is not a guarantee.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Sloane Stephens vs Yuan Yue
Head-to-head: first meeting
Sloane Stephens suffered frustration last week in Brisbane. She looked superb in the first set of her second-round contest with Elise Mertens, but ended up losing in three sets. That inconsistency has plagued her somewhat since that famous US Open triumph. Nonetheless, expect her to have too much for Yuan Yue. The Chinese player can be tricky, and often has periods of high-quality in her matches. But they are usually for short periods of time, and Stephens overall game should have enough to claim victory in Hobart.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Main photo credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
