WTA Austin top seed Anhelina Kalinina won’t have it easy from the get-go with 18-year-old Sara Bejlek awaiting her in the opening round. Not only is the youngster part of the unlimited supply of talent coming to the tour from the Czech Republic, but she also made it through the qualifying with ease and has been sort of due a statement win. Can she grab one on Tuesday at the ATX Open? We also predict the rest of the day’s matches, split between two articles. One features Danielle Collins vs Olivia Gadecki and the other featured Peyton Stearns vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova. Who do you think will advance?
WTA Austin Day 2 Predictions
Emiliana Arango vs Alycia Parks
Head-to-head: First meeting
This time last year no one would have expected Alycia Parks to find herself outside the Top 100 by now, but the reality is that the American hasn’t found any degree of regulation to her game. The big hit was also her two losses in the indoor season, which is extremely short anyway on the WTA Tour right now. It’s not exactly hot news to say that a Parks match is on her racket, but Emiliana Arango has barely been winning herself since her Guadalajara run and will mostly be reacting to the big-hitter here.
Prediction: Parks in 3
Taylor Townsend vs Fernanda Contreras Gomez
Head-to-head: First meeting
Fernanda Contreras Gomez was an amazing story in Grand Slam qualifying in 2022, making it at three consecutive events with a huge Mexican crowd following her around. Now she finds herself outside the Top 300 and hasn’t found enough quality to threaten the elite of the women’s game in the long run. Taylor Townsend’s primary focus might still be doubles, but she’s a proper singles player too and should have too much for Contreras Gomez here.
Prediction: Townsend in 2
Rebecca Marino vs Sachia Vickery
Head-to-head: Marino 4-1
Their rivalry dates back to 2012, but they’ve also played each other this year already with Rebecca Marino picking up the win in the Irapuato semifinals. The Canadian has been enjoying a great season under the radar (16-4 win/loss record), including a title at the aforementioned Mexican ITF. Her ranking of No. 147 feels way too low at the moment and of the two experienced players, she’s the one who’s more explosive and tougher to stop once she catches a hot streak.
Prediction: Marino in 2
Anhelina Kalinina vs Sara Bejlek
Head-to-head: First meeting
Unless Anhelina Kalinina really picks up her game soon, her ranking is set to plummet when she drops the Rome final points. The Ukrainian at least picked up a couple of wins in the Middle East Swing though and for the first time in a while didn’t look overranked. Sara Bejlek is a pretty nasty draw for the opening round though with the 18-year-old being one of the many Czech talents coming up the rankings. The 2022 French Open girls’ doubles champion might enjoy this one and Kalinina can’t overwhelm her with pace.
Prediction: Bejlek in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
