It promises to be a great third day of WTA Toronto tennis. All the remaining Round of 32 matches are scheduled, including 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko’s battle with last week’s Citi DC Open winner Paula Badosa. That is one of four matches predicted in this article. As always, we at LWOT predict all the other matches on the slate. Which players do you expect to progress to the next round?
WTA Toronto Day 3 Predictions
Anna Kalinskaya vs Lesia Tsurenko
Head-to-head: Tsurenko 1-0 Kalinskaya
Tsurenko’s three-set victory against Bianca Andreescu had incredible momentum swings. The Ukrainian lost the first set 6-0, then found herself 5-0 up in the deciding set before narrowly getting over the line 6-4. In truth, the overall quality of that match was not very high. Tsurenko will need to perform much better to have a chance against Kalinskaya. She is still a good defender at the age of 35, but probably not good enough to handle Kalinskaya’s powerful hitting.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
Daria Kasatkina vs Amanda Anisimova
Head-to-head: Anisimova 3-0 Kasatkina
This is an interesting matchup. Kasatkina’s athleticism and consistency are what she bases her game on. However, she often struggles against very powerful hitters, evidenced by her comprehensive losses to Naomi Osaka and Danielle Collins this year. Anisimova, who possesses devastating power at her best, took advantage of that in her three previous meetings with Kasatkina. The complication for the American is those matches were more than two years ago. Anisimova is not near that level right now, and that might help Kasatkina grind out a victory in trademark fashion.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 3
Madison Keys vs Peyton Stearns
Head-to-head: First meeting
This will be Keys’ first match since her heartbreaking retirement at Wimbledon in the third set against eventual finalist Jasmine Paolini. The former US Open runner-up tends to be very rusty in her first matches back after an injury. That gives Stearns an opportunity. The younger American in this matchup has played some solid and consistent tennis this year, and that might be enough in Keys’ first match back.
Prediction: Stearns in 3
Jelena Ostapenko vs Paula Badosa
Head-to-head: Ostapenko 2-2 Badosa
The matches between the Latvian and the Spaniard are always fun. Both are capable of incredible shotmaking. Ostapenko’s style is more ultra-aggressive than Badosa’s, who can mix up her paces and spins when needed. It is a tough match to call, but I am leaning toward the Citi DC Open champion. Badosa’s ability to throw Ostapenko off her rhythm by mixing up her shots could decide this contest.
Prediction: Badosa in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
