The WTA 1000 event this week in Toronto has an unusually depleted field for an event of this level, mostly due to this proximity with the Olympic tournament, but also Cincinnati next week. There are only three top ten players in the draw, but it should still be a tournament full of great and exciting matches, with the added element of unpredictability brought about by the absence of so many top players.
WTA Toronto Day 2 Predictions
Erika Andreeva vs Marina Stakusic
Head-to-head: first meeting
This should be a very close match, with the absence of previous matchups between the pair making it even harder to call. That said, Andreeva is just generally the slightly better and more consistent player and she played well in qualifying to make her way into the main draw. She had already played quite well at Wimbledon as well, so judging on current form she should have the slight edge here, even if it should be a very tight match decided by small details.
Prediction: Andreeva in 3
Peyton Stearns vs Anna Blinkova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Both players have been struggling a lot lately, with Blinkova losing her last four matches and Stearns four of her last five. Given that, it’s a great opportunity for both players to get an important win and some momentum going; it should be a very close and tightly fought match, but Stearns is generally the better and more consistent player so she should have a slight edge here.
Prediction: Stearns in 3
Ons Jabeur vs Naomi Osaka
Head-to-head: Osaka 1-0 Jabeur
If Osaka’s comeback to the circuit is to have the success that she desires (in other words, big titles, especially Slams), hard courts is the surface where it is by far the most likely to occur. She showed great signs earlier this year on clay against Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros, but it’s on hard courts that she truly shines. She will certainly believe that she can win a third US Open title next month and a great performance in the lead-up tournaments would greatly help in that quest. Jabeur is a very difficult first round opponent, a big test, but on a hard court Osaka should have the edge.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
