All the WTA Cleveland round of 16 matches are scheduled for Wednesday. 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin is among the players hoping to build on her opening-round victory in Ohio. We at LWOT predict all the matches on the slate here and in a separate article, including Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Cristina Bucsa. But which players do you think will reach the quarterfinals?
WTA Cleveland Day 3 Predictions
McCartney Kessler vs Wang Xinyu
Head-to-head: Wang 1-0 Kessler
Wang was breathtakingly good at times in her 6-1 6-1 demolition of Anna Blinkova in the previous round. Kessler battled through 6-1 4-6 6-4 in a much lengthier and tougher match. Although Wang can be inconsistent, it is tough not to back the Chinese player after her performance in the last round. She produced the type of tennis that saw her defeat Jessica Pegula at Wimbledon. 70% of that level will be enough to overcome Kessler.
Prediction: Wang in 2
Anastasia Potapova vs Clara Tauson
Head-to-head: Tauson 1-0 Potapova
This matchup features a clash of styles. Tauson’s game is built around powerful hitting from the baseline, while Potapova tries to extend the rallies and make it difficult for her opponents to hit winners. Tauson won a tight battle against the Russian at the US Open last year, and their meeting in Cleveland promises to be similar. The conditions in Cleveland might give Potapova a very narrow advantage. She looked very comfortable in the last round on not-too-quick courts. That will help her against Tauson, although defending her second serve against the Dane could be challenging.
Prediction: Potapova in 3
Katerina Siniakova vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
Head-to-head: First meeting
Siniakova barely survived her opening-round match against Sayaka Ishii, who was making her first appearance in the main draw of a WTA tournament. The Czech must perform much better against the talented 21-year-old Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. The Spaniard is very solid from the baseline and adept at drawing errors from the baseline. If Siniakova makes half the number of unforced errors she did against Ishii, she is in trouble. I do not trust her enough on the singles court right now to avoid that fate.
Prediction: Bouzas Maneiro in 2
Sofia Kenin vs Clara Burel
Head-to-head: First meeting
Kenin recovered from 3-5 down in the deciding set against Katie Volynets, saving a match point along the way. It was not a pretty match in very windy conditions. However, Kenin has faltered in tight moments on several occasions this year, meaning that victory could be crucial for her. Burel is a tricky opponent to face with her athleticism and consistency. Nonetheless, Kenin is predicted to improve after her tough opening-round triumph to overcome the Frenchwoman.
Prediction: Kenin in 2
Main Photo Credit: Ray Acevedo – USA TODAY Sports
