Naomi Osaka plays her first match on grass this season on Day 2 of the WTA 250 in Den Bosch. Her exciting contest against Elise Mertens is one of several taking place on the second day. Some are matches that were not completed on Day 1 due to rain, such as Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Arina Rodionova and Bianca Andreescu vs Eva Vedder. As always, we at LWOT predict all the Day 2 action in Den Bosch, including Jessica Pegula vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Liudmila Samsonova vs Alison Van Uytvanck. Which players do you expect to progress to the next round?
WTA Den Bosch Day 2 Predictions
Diana Shnaider vs Yue Yuan
Head-to-head: Yuan 2-0 Shnaider
Shnaider does not have much experience on grass. However, if she can get used to the unique movement required on the surface, the Russian could be a very good player on it. Her big serve and flat shots have the potential to cause a lot of damage. Hard court specialist Yuan has not impressed much in her previous matches on grass. This could go either way, but Shnaider’s powerful game is given a slight edge in Den Bosch.
Prediction: Shnaider in 3
Magda Linette vs Robin Montgomery
Head-to-head: Linette 1-0 Montgomery
It has been a strange season for Linette so far. Her best results in previous years came on hard courts. However, after struggling on her favored surface at the start of the year, she had more success on clay, including reaching her first WTA final on the dirt. The Pole is usually a decent player on grass, being able to redirect pace quite well. Montgomery has a good serve and will be tough to break at her best. But the American’s very limited experience playing and moving on grass makes her the underdog against Linette.
Prediction: Linette in 2
Naomi Osaka vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: Osaka 3-2 Mertens
Osaka surprised many with her level during the clay-court season. Yet, she did play a poor first match on the dirt in April in Rouen against Martina Trevisan. It is possible that she may also need some time to adjust in her opening contest on grass. That makes Mertens a tough first-round opponent. The Belgian is very solid on all surfaces and also beat Osaka earlier this year in Indian Wells. Her consistent and complete game is capable of exploiting Osaka’s movement in her first match on grass in 2024.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
