Eight matches are on the cards at the WTA 500 in Monterrey, with second-round matchplay to take place on Wednesday. Among the players in action include the second seed Emma Navarro, who would inch closer to a Top 10 debut with a title this week. World No. 28 Elina Svitolina also kicks off her campaign, with her opponent coming off a noteworthy run in Cincinnati. LWOT predicts and previews the matches below.
WTA Monterrey Day 3 Predictions
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Renata Zarazua
Head-to-head: First meeting
A WTA player from Mexico has not won a pro title during the Open Era just yet, and could Zarazua be the first? She’ll have the crowd on her side in this event, and sits near a career-high ranking of No. 97. Alexandrova hits big from the baseline with her forehand and serve, but she’s struggled with injuries and inconsistency as of late. Zarazua recently made the finals of an ITF event, and with momentum on her side, there could be an upset on the cards.
Prediction: Zarazua in 3
Elina Svitolina vs Elina Avanesyan
Head-to-head: First meeting
Avanesyan had one of the tournaments of her career in Cincinnati just last week, reaching the third round. She played well here in her first-round match to win 7-6 (6) 6-1 over Elisabetta Cocciaretto, but Svitolina has better results here historically. She won this tournament in 2020, and statistically plays her best on outdoor hard courts. Given both players have similar styles of play with feisty and gritty tennis, look for the Ukranian to reach the next round.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Maria Lourdes Carle vs Lulu Sun
Head-to-head: First meeting
Sun could use a big week before the US Open, and she hasn’t done a ton on tour since her stunning Wimbledon run. Meanwhile, Carlé stunned Veronika Kudermetova in a third set on Monday, and comes into this match with heightened belief. Carlé will have to counter Sun’s firepower and aggressive tennis, but it may be tough for her to back up a big win, especially being newer to the hard courts at the WTA tour level. Sun’s game better translates to the faster courts, and she’ll win in a close match as a result.
Prediction: Sun in 3
Emma Navarro vs Camila Osorio
Head-to-head: First meeting
While Navarro has had the best season of her career on tour in 2024, Osorio is no easy test in Monterrey. She made the finals of the 2022 edition of the tournament and just won her opening match 6-2 7-6 (3) against the big-hitting Ajla Tomljanović. Regardless, I like Navarro’s experience and confidence to help her win this match in two tight sets. She’ll need to serve well early on and avoid any opportunities for Osorio’s confident hitting to shine.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
