First-round matches at the WTA Trophee Clarins in Paris could only be completed on Wednesday after a heavy downpour all Tuesday. Two high-profile names exited the tournament because of injuries, but there will be no shortage of entertaining matches on Thursday. Who will reach the quarterfinal?
WTA Trophee Clarins Day 3 Predictions
Viktoriya Tomova vs Katie Boulter
Head-to-head: Tomova 1-1 Boulter
Boulter is coming off a solid win over fellow Brit Harriet Dart. She only dropped four games. Tomova, meanwhile, was taken the distance by home favorite Chloe Paquet but prevailed 6-1 in the third. Despite the nature of their contrasting victories in the first round, the British No. 1 remains unpredictable on this surface. This can be attested by recent defeats to Robin Montgomery and Rebecca Sramkova. The lower-ranked Tomova has won over 200 matches on clay on the professional circuit and feels more at home on clay.
Prediction: Tomova in 3
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Alize Cornet vs Olivia Gadecki
Head-to-head: first meeting
There is something extremely inspiring about retirement announcements. We’ve seen how much of an impact it had on Danielle Collins’ season. Alize Cornet was having a dreadful year until she revealed her decision to retire after Roland Garros. Her game clicked instantly, and she has now won four of her last five matches. Olivia Gadecki, meanwhile, benefitted from a retirement win against third seed Sloane Stephens, extending her great track record against American players. Cornet is a shell of the player of her yesteryears, but you cannot find fault in her work ethic.
Prediction: Cornet in 3
Diana Shnaider vs Elsa Jacquemot
Head-to-head: Jacquemot 1-0 Shnaider
After a three-match losing run, Elsa Jacquemot has won five of her last six matches at all levels. She defeated former Top 40 player Heather Watson to reach the second round at the WTA Trophee Clarins. Jacquemot leads the head-to-head against Diana Shnaider, winning their lone meeting at the 2023 US Open qualifying. However, clay will be the equalizer in this one as the Russian is more suited to make clever use of the court.
Prediction: Shnaider in 2
Emma Navarro vs McCartney Kessler
Head-to-head: Kessler 1-0 Navarro
Emma Navarro was in full flight in her opening match as she demolished compatriot Lauren Davis 6-0 6-0. It was a statement win. The top seed is not in Paris to accumulate court time before Roland Garros, but she wants to win this tournament. She might have expected to face former world #1 Simona Halep in the second round until the Romanian was forced to retire due to injury while leading McCartney Kessler by a set. The 24-year-old American played on the front foot in the second set of that match. She was aided by Halep’s immobility on the court. Kessler’s luck will likely run out here, as Navarro is in stellar form.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
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Main Photo Credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports
