The WTA 250 event in Austin kicks off with four main-draw matches on the opening day. This includes former Australian Open quarterfinalist Alize Cornet’s first-round contest. As always, we at LWOT provide our predictions and analysis for all four matches. But which players do you think will win on the first day in Austin?
WTA Austin Day 1 Predictions
Yuan Yue vs Arina Rodionova
Head-to-head: Rodionova 1-0 Yuan
These two met less than a month ago at the Hua Hin Championships. After a battle that lasted over three hours, Rodionova prevailed. The Australian reached the quarterfinal of that tournament and also beat Sofia Kenin in Brisbane in January, but she lost in the first round of qualifying in Doha and Dubai. Rodionova needs to recapture her form from a few weeks to overcome Yuan once again. It is a tough one to call, but Yuan has had some good results on US soil during her career. That might be the key difference in Austin.
Prediction: Yuan in 3
Wang Yafan vs Lucia Bronzetti
Head-to-head: Bronzetti 1-0 Wang
Bronzetti got a great win against last year’s WTA Elite Trophy semifinalist Daria Kasatkina in Dubai. That was a very long match, and she seemed very fatigued in her subsequent loss to Anastasia Potapova. Wang did not play during the swing in the Middle East. Her last two tournaments were a semifinal appearance at the Hua Hin Championships and a third-round run at the Australian Open. Although Bronzetti is dangerous when she is firing, I trust Wang more consistently on hard courts and think she is likely to prevail in Austin.
Prediction: Wang in 2
Diane Parry vs Jessika Ponchet
Head-to-head: Parry 1-1 Ponchet
Ponchet won both her qualifying matches in straight sets and seems to be comfortable in the conditions in Austin. Parry has not played since a qualifying loss in Doha a few weeks ago, where she was not at her best. However, I still expect her to avoid an upset here. Before that qualifying loss, Parry played very good matches against Mirra Andreeva and Daria Kasatkina, despite losing them both narrowly. She should be able to overcome her French compatriot Ponchet if she gets anywhere close to the level from those previous matches.
Prediction: Parry in 2
Alize Cornet vs Camila Osorio
Head-to-head: Osorio 1-0 Cornet
Cornet has been one of the most consistent WTA players in the last 17 years. She made a 67th consecutive Grand Slam appearance at the Australian Open this year, which is an unmatched record in the women’s game. Yet, the 34-year-old currently finds herself outside the Top 100. Both these players skipped the swing in the Middle East and will hope to immediately find their feet again in the US. This is likely to be a real battle between two players who lack firepower and like to extend the rallies. At this stage of Cornet’s career, playing another grinder, who is capable of battling for hours might not be the most ideal matchup.
Prediction: Osorio in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
