Liudmila Samsonova continues her bid for a second title on grass this year on Day 3 of the WTA Bad Homburg Open. But she faces a very difficult Round of 16 contest against the defending champion Katerina Siniakova. There are six matches taking place on Day 3, with three of those predicted in this article. We at LWOT predict the rest of the day’s action in a separate article, including Paula Badosa vs Jule Niemeier. But which players do you think will progress in Germany?
WTA Bad Homburg Day 3 Predictions
Diane Parry vs Veronika Kudermetova
Head-to-head: Kudermetova 1-0 Parry
This is the sole Round of 32 match in this article, with the other two being Round of 16 battles. Kudermetova has endured a disappointing year so far by her high standards. However, there were signs of encouragement last week in Berlin. She defeated Samsonova in the opening round, before losing two competitive sets to the 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. Despite this, I am backing Parry to overcome Kudermetova. The Frenchwoman elected to rest last week after a run to the semifinal in Nottingham. The angles she can generate with her forehand and her slice backhand presents variety that Kudermetova often struggles against, which could make the difference.
Prediction: Parry in 3
Linda Noskova vs Viktoriya Tomova
Head-to-head: Noskova 1-0 Tomova
Tomova was very impressive in her 6-1 6-3 opening round triumph against former Wimbledon semifinalist Tatjana Maria. But Noskova presents a completely different type of challenge. Maria’s game is based on slices and craftiness, while Noskova serves big and hits her groundstrokes very flat and powerfully. The Australian Open quarterfinalist is inconsistent and her matches can be hard to predict. Overall though, I back her game on grass and in this matchup more than Tomova’s.
Prediction: Noskova in 2
Liudmila Samsonova vs Katerina Siniakova
Head-to-head: Samsonova 1-1 Siniakova
Siniakova defeated Samsonova in three sets in the quarterfinal of her run to the title last year in Bad Homburg. This is a tough one to predict and could easily go either way. Samsonova’s powerful game is very imposing on grass, as she showed during her run to the title in Nottingham. Yet, Siniakova’s flat shots off her backhand in particular are capable of exploiting Samsonova’s movement. Overall, I will give a very narrow edge to the defending champion at the tournament she thrives at so much, but in truth, this is a 50/50 matchup.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
