Second-round action continues on Day 4 at the WTA Palermo Ladies Open as the defending champion and top seed, Qinwen Zheng, takes center stage once again. Two seeded players are already out as the rest of the field shows their contention for the title. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate for Thursday. But who will advance to the quarterfinals?
WTA Palermo Day 4 Predictions
Chloe Paquet vs Maria Lourdes Carle
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Chloe Paquet got an important win in the first round against Saisai Zheng, which will push her rankings towards the Top 100. Paquet has never been inside the top 100 and that would be her aim. Maria Lourdes Carle played incredibly in the last two sets in her first-round match to set up this meeting with Paquet. Carle thrives on clay and is more experienced at this level than the Frenchwoman. Carle should win this comfortably.
Prediction: Carle in 2
Erika Andreeva vs Ann Li
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Erika Andreeva lost just three games in her first-round match as she looks set for a deep run this week. Andreeva is extremely talented and has the chance to get to her first quarterfinals at the tour level if she manages to win her second-round match. Ann Li played a great match to upset the #3 seed, Peyton Stearns. Li was clutch in the second set tiebreak and from there on she cruised to victory. This should be an exciting match to watch. Li has the better form but Andreeva will be motivated to reach her first quarterfinal.
Prediction: Andreeva in 3
Jaqueline Cristian vs Lucia Bronzetti
Head-to-Head: Cristian 2-0 Bronzetti
Jaqueline Cristian was efficient in dispatching her first-round opponent in straight sets. She was solid throughout the match and saved all the breakpoints. Clay has always been a comfortable surface for the Romanian and she will fancy her chances in the next round. Lucia Bronzetti had to fight more for her win as she beat Elsa Jacquemot, in three sets. Bronzetti won the WTA 125 level tournament this month and is full of confidence. Cristian has had the upper hand in this matchup in the past, but it won’t be easy facing Bronzetti in Italy.
Prediction: Bronzetti in 3
Qinwen Zheng vs Petra Martic
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Qinwen Zheng started off her title defense in the best way possible as she beat former Palermo Open champion Sara Errani in straight sets. Zheng’s kick serves have a lot of bite on clay and Errani was not able to deal with them. Petra Martic is taller and would find it slightly easier to deal with Zheng’s serve. Martic has only won two matches on clay this year and Zheng will take advantage of that if the match is close in the scoreboard. I expect Zheng to up her level if Martic pushes her.
Prediction: Zheng in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
