There are ten matches scheduled for Day 2 of the WTA Iasi Open. This includes an interesting matchup between the former French Open quarterfinalist Petra Martic and the gritty Spaniard Nuria Parrizas Diaz. We at LWOT predict all the contests on the slate here and in a separate article, including Jaqueline Cristian vs Nuria Branaccio. Which players do you think will win in Romania?
WTA Iasi Day 2 Predictions
Elina Avanesyan vs Leyre Romero Gormaz
Head-to-head: First meeting
Avanesyan, who had a run to the fourth round of the French Open this year, made the quarterfinal in Budapest last week. She was knocked out by Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, despite being a set up in that match. Romero Gormaz is very inexperienced at this level. She has never qualified for the main draw of a Grand Slam and is unlikely to be used to Avanesyan’s consistency. The Spaniard does play her best tennis on clay, but that will not be enough against Avanesyan.
Prediction: Avanesyan in 2
Gergana Topalova vs Selena Janicijevic
Head-to-head: Janicijevic 1-0 Topalova
This is a great opportunity for each player to get a WTA main draw victory. Both women are comfortably ranked outside the Top 100. Janicijevic has slightly more experience on the big stage, having qualified for two Grand Slam main draw. All 14 of her ITF finals to date have also been on clay. It could be a tight battle, but I favour Janicijevic’s experience slightly more in this matchup.
Prediction: Janicijevic in 3
Lea Boskovic vs Maria Timofeeva
Head-to-head: First meeting
Timofeeva has struggled since winning the title in Budapest 12 months ago. She tried to defend her crown last week but fell in the Round of 16 to Aliaksandra Sasnovich. However, expect her to come through the opening round in Iasu. Although Boskovic reached a career-high ranking of No. 182 last week, she is not in the same class as Timofeeva.
Prediction: Timofeeva in 2
Anna Bondar vs Marie Benoit
Head-to-head: Bondar 3-1 Benoit
Bondar lost in the Round of 16 last week at her home event in Budapest against Ella Seidel, but this is an ideal first round for her. Bondar has beaten Benoit in their last three meetings, all of which came on clay. Benoit’s sole victory over Bondar was back in 2018. The Hungarian should progress to the Round of 16 with relative ease.
Prediction: Bondar in 2
Petra Martic vs Nuria Parrizas Diaz
Head-to-head: Martic 1-0 Parrizas Diaz
Martic looked good in Palermo last week. She dominated against Emiliana Arango and then competed well against the eventual champion, Qinwen Zheng, in the following round. The Croatian veteran is likely to overcome Parrizas Diaz, one of the few Spaniards who is more comfortable on hard courts than clay. Martic also easily triumphed in their only previous meeting on the dirt.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
