Clay-court tennis on the WTA Tour will kick off at the WTA 250 in Bogota. One of the standout matches on Day 1 features an all-American clash between the rising youngster Iva Jovic and Alycia Parks. Who will reach the next round?
WTA Bogota Day 1 Predictions
Laura Siegemund vs Laura Pigossi
Head-to-head: first meeting
Siegemund has a negative win-loss record as March ends. The German veteran has one win from her last five matches. Her last main draw win was at the Australian Open in January. Pigossi has fared marginally better against inferior competition and is coming off a quarterfinal run at an ITF tournament in her native Brazil. She’s also never lost a first-round match in Bogota and was a runner-up three years ago.
Prediction: Pigossi in 3
Selena Janicijevic vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Head-to-head: first meeting
Janicijevic is on a five-match losing run, which is not a good sign when facing a clay-court expert like Sorribes Tormo. The Spaniard hasn’t played a match on clay this season but should take little time to find her footing on the surface. Sorribes Tomro was a semifinalist when she competed in her debut in Bogota and reached two more quarterfinals in recent years. Expect the tried-and-tested Sorribes Tormo to motor into the second round.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 2
Marie Bouzkova vs Aleksandra Krunic
Head-to-head: first meeting
Bouzkova’s stay in the Top 50 is under serious threat. She’s defending runner-up points in Bogota. The Czech is winless in five main draw matches, although it could be argued that she faced top-tier competition in that time. Krunic’s qualifying run in this tournament was seamless and might be a good candidate to upset last year’s finalist. Bouzkova’s dry spell is likely to be her undoing here.
Prediction: Krunic in 2
Emina Bektas vs Maria Torres Murcia
Head-to-head: first meeting
There have been some crazy results in Bogota over the years, but it is still unfathomable that Bektas will lose to Torres Murcia, ranked world #887. The Colombian wild card doesn’t have the resume and a complete game to cause an upset on her main draw debut. Bektas’ big serve will set the tone for a comfortable opening win.
Prediction: Bektas in 2
Iva Jovic vs Alycia Parks
Head-to-head: first meeting
Jovic has played just 12 matches on clay on the professional circuit and was close to lifting a title last season on the surface while competing on the ITF Tour. The 17-year-old recently broke into the top 150 after winning seven of her last nine matches, including a main draw victory in Indian Wells. Parks is the more experienced player here, sitting almost over 100 spots above her countrywoman, although her clay-court record is wanting. Still, at altitude, the conditions will probably work in her favor.
Prediction: Parks in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
