Top-seeded Marie Bouzkova seems to have received a very tricky draw at the WTA 250 in Bogota, particularly because of her first opponent. Especially in the faster clay conditions, Rebecca Marino will throw the kitchen sink at her and the Czech needs to be on top of her game to survive. Who do you think will come out on top?
WTA Bogota Day 2 Predictions
Yulia Starodubtseva vs Sara Errani
Head-to-head: First meeting
They played each other in the first round of a WTA 125 event in Colina last year with Yulia Starodubtseva coming out on top 6-1 7-6. The conditions at that event aren’t as extreme as in Bogota, but it’s still about 600m altitude. The Ukrainian getting that done there is a pretty good forecast for her ability to beat Errani here. The veteran controlling the ball as well as she does is definitely important, but her serve might be a major weakness in these conditions.
Prediction: Starodubtseva in 3
Emiliana Arango vs Julia Riera
Head-to-head: Arango 1-0
Emiliana Arango hasn’t exactly followed up her famous Guadalajara run from last year, but it’s clear she fancies altitude conditions. No wonder as being from Colombia she’s gotten a lot of practice in them from an early age. Her only previous meeting with Julia Riera also came at 2,500 meters above sea level in Mosquera. Since she won that one (although in three sets), she pretty much has to be considered the favorite to beat the Argentinian again.
Prediction: Arango in 2
Tamara Zidansek vs Hailey Baptiste
Head-to-head: First meeting
Tamara Zidansek usually performs very well on clay when she has plenty of time to produce her forehand with an extreme grip. How she is going to handle the altitude in Bogota though? By her San Luis Potosi performance last week, probably quite well. The Slovenian defeated Jule Niemeier and ended up losing to one of the high-altitude-specialists Elisabetta Cocciaretto in three sets there. Hailey Baptiste will need to step up her game to fend her off.
Prediction: Zidansek in 3
Marie Bouzkova vs Rebecca Marino
Head-to-head: 1-1
Marie Bouzkova was probably hoping for an easier draw when she chose to make her way to Bogota, but she’ll have to make the best out of it. Rebecca Marino defeated her in Doha last year and in altitude conditions it’s going to be a classic matchup between big weapons and good defending/control over the ball. The Canadian might actually end up proving too much for the top seed with the way the ball is traveling through the air only boosting her power advantage.
Prediction: Marino in 2
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