Second-round matches begin at the Guadalajara Open, and all four top seeds will be in action. There are eight exciting matches to look forward to, and this article features No. 1 seed Jelena Ostapenko and Caroline Garcia. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate for day 3. But who will advance to the quarterfinals?
WTA Guadalajara Day 3 Predictions
Marie Bouzkova vs Lucrezia Stefanini
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Marie Bouzkova has faced some tough losses since reaching the finals in Washington last month, but her dominant performance in the first round should boost her confidence. She is a former semifinalist at the Guadalajara Open and likes the fast conditions. Lucrezia Stefanini did well in getting her first main draw win on hard courts this year. However, Bouzkova has a clear advantage at this level and should win comfortably.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 2
Ashlyn Krueger vs Magdalena Frech
Head-to-Head: Krueger 0-1 Frech
Ashlyn Krueger was down and out in the first set, but she returned to win it from 0-5, breaking Tatjana Maria’s morale, who couldn’t recover after that. This could be a real confidence-boosting win for Krueger, who lost many points this week and hopes to finish in the top 50. Magdalena Frech has lost in the second round the last two years at this event and will look to get past that hurdle. She got the better off Krueger earlier this year on clay, but this should be a closer match on hard courts.
Prediction: Krueger in 3
Caroline Garcia vs Ena Shibahara
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Caroline Garcia is on a three-match losing streak but this is a great opportunity for her to get some match wins. The super high altitude conditions should suit her attacking game style but it might take some time to get used to it. Ena Shibahara did extremely well in qualifying. Shibahara will look to get her first main draw win at the Guadalajara Open, something she failed last year after qualifying. It might be tough, but Garcia should win against an inexperienced opponent.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Jelena Ostapenko vs Marina Stakusic
Head-to-Head: First meeting
It’s hard to predict Jelena Ostapenko’s level. Having lost her last three matches, this is a great opportunity for her to get back in form. She had a good opening match against the talented Marina Stakusic, who won her second main draw match of this year. Stakusic has had the most success on hard courts so this would be an interesting battle. The super high altitude conditions could go either way for the #1 seed. She might end up hitting a lot of winners or a lot of unforced errors as the balls will fly from her racquet. The match will be on Ostapenko’s racquet, and I am backing her to win this.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
