There are two events to mark the start of the women’s grass court season. One of these is the WTA Nottingham Open, and there is an exciting entry list for the tournament. 2021 Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Pliskova is one of these featuring on Day 1. We at LWOT predict all the matches on the slate in Nottingham, including Katie Boulter vs Harriet Dart. Which players do you think will triumph on the opening day?
WTA Nottingham Day 1 Predictions
Heather Watson vs Kayla Day
Head-to-head: First meeting
Both players are ranked outside the Top 100 and will see this as a great opportunity to get a WTA Tour victory. Watson has struggled for form lately. Since the North American hard court season in March, the Briton has been mostly trying and failing to qualify for tournament. However, Watson is a slight favourite to get a valuable win. Her greater experience and past results on grass might prove the difference against Day, who plays her best tennis by far on hard courts.
Prediction: Watson in 2
Zhu Lin vs Lucrezia Stefanini
Head-to-head: First meeting
Neither player is naturally comfortable playing on grass. Zhu is a hard court specialist, while Stefanini’s playing style does not suit grass well either. Therefore, both women may struggle at times in their first match of the year on the surface. Overall, Zhu’s greater power. that is capable of rushing Stefanini, might be what decides this one. But an upset is certainly possible if Zhu’s struggles outside of hard court tournaments continues.
Prediction: Zhu in 3
Karolina Pliskova vs Alycia Parks
Head-to-head: Parks 1-0 Pliskova
This is likely to come down to fine margins in this battle of the powerful servers. Although Pliskova had some great results during the Middle Eastern swing in February, she is still far past her absolute best. Parks’ style should be a great fit for grass, but the American is very inconsistent. This promises to be very tight and could go either way. Overall, Pliskova’s much greater experience moving and playing on grass over the years gives her a very slight edge over the American.
Prediction: Pliskova in 3
Main Photo Credit: Eric Bolte – USA TODAY Sports
