There are some terrific matches scheduled for Day 2 of the WTA Birmingham Classic. Former US Open champion Caroline Wozniacki and two-time Grand Slam runner-up Karolina Pliskova are among the players set to feature. We at LWOT predict all the contests on the slate here and in a separate article. Which players do you think will progress to the next round?
WTA Birmingham Day 2 Predictions
Harriet Dart vs Moyuka Uchijima
Head-to-head: First meeting
Dart showed her quality on grass last week in Nottingham, where she came close to defeating the eventual champion Katie Boulter. The Briton will be a very tough draw for most players if she retains that level. Uchijima does not have any history of success on grass. It is probably the surface that suits her game the least, meaning Dart should triumph comfortably in Birmingham.
Prediction: Dart in 2
Karolina Pliskova vs Caroline Dolehide
Head-to-head: Pliskova 1-0 Dolehide
Pliskova was the runner-up in Nottingham. The 32-year-old plays this match just two days after her final loss to Katie Boulter. But the majority of the points in her matches on grass are short, meaning she should be okay physically. Dolehide’s grass-court season started with an opening round loss to Francesca Jones in Nottingham. The American is a fighter, but she does not move as naturally on grass compared to other surfaces. That means Pliskova’s flat shots are likely to overwhelm her.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Clara Burel vs Yulia Putintseva
Head-to-head: First meeting
Putintseva has enjoyed a great season so far, but her least successful surface during her career has been grass. However, this is not a bad draw for the Kazakhstani. Burel lost to Daria Saville in her opening match on grass last week and struggled a lot during that contest. The Frenchwoman, like Putintseva, usually produces her best tennis on clay. This could go either way, but Putintseva’s drop shots and craftiness might give her a slight edge.
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Caroline Wozniacki vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: Wozniacki 2-0 Mertens
This is a very difficult first match of the season on grass for Wozniacki. Mertens was unfortunate to play an in-form Naomi Osaka in Den Bosch last week. meaning there was not much she could have done to avoid defeat. The Belgian is a very solid player on all surfaces and will take advantage if her opponent is rusty. Wozniacki’s return to the sport has been impressive, but I doubt she will not have enough to overcome Mertens in Birmingham.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
