The WTA Tour returns to clay after Barbora Krejcikova beat Jasmine Paolini in the Wimbledon final. This includes the Budapest Grand Prix, where seven players withdrew. Elina Avanesyan, who reached the fourth round of the French Open this year, is one of the players in action on the opening day. We at LWOT predict all the Day 1 matches in Budapest split between this and a separate article. But who do you think will progress to the second round?
WTA Budapest Day 1 Predictions
Carole Monnet vs Amarissa Kiara Toth
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is a great opportunity for both players to reach the next round. Monnet is ranked outside the Top 150, while Toth is outside the Top 300. Despite Monnet’s better ranking, Toth is narrowly favoured to progress in Budapest. The Hungarian will have the crowd behind her, and she also won a few matches in qualifying to reach this stage. That momentum can sometimes make the difference.
Prediction: Toth in 3
Sara Sorribes Tormo vs Gergana Topalova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Sorribes Tormo never plays well on grass, and she will be very happy to be back on the dirt. Expect her to be comfortable against Topalova. Although the Bulgarian usually produces her best tennis on clay, she is ranked outside the Top 200, and Sorribes Tormo’s grit is something she will rarely have faced. The Spaniard to progress in straight sets.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 2
Maria Timofeeva vs Simona Waltert
Head-to-head: First meeting
Timofeeva is the defending champion in Budapest. However, she has mostly struggled since her shock run to the fourth round of the Australian Open at the start of the year. That makes this a decent draw for Waltert. The Swiss player is comfortable on clay but can also be inconsistent. Expect this to be close, but Waltert is backed to win a close match and knock out last year’s winner.
Prediction: Waltert in 3
Magdalena Frech vs Elina Avanesyan
Head-to-head: First meeting
Frech has enjoyed a good season overall, but she is least comfortable playing on clay. By contrast, Avanesyan is always at her best on the dirt. Frech will need to be aggressive and probably move forward to the net as well. Unfortunately for the Pole, I doubt she will be able to hit through Avanesyan’s gritty style consistently. Her unforced errors is likely to decide this match.
Prediction: Avanesyan in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
