Linda Fruhvirtova lost to Aleksandra Krunic in the final qualifying round of the WTA 250 in Rouen, but the teenage Czech is receiving another chance with a lucky loser spot opening up. Meanwhile, Alycia Parks will check if her indoor expertise extends to clay, facing Camilla Rosatello. Who do you think will come out on top?
WTA Rouen Day 2 Predictions
Margaux Rouvroy vs Jessika Ponchet
Head-to-head: Ponchet 3-1
These two traded their two meetings last year with both ending in a 6-2 6-1 scoreline (this will be their first clay-court encounter). Margaux Rouvroy is still waiting for a big breakthrough and it’s already been a couple of years since her famous win over Sofia Kenin in Roland Garros qualifying. Seems like this could be a decent opportunity for her with Jessika Ponchet looking a lot more shaky in the qualifying, which led to her eventually needing a lucky loser spot to join the main draw.
Prediction: Rouvroy in 3
Varvara Gracheva vs Sonay Kartal
Head-to-head: First meeting
Sonay Kartal didn’t play a single clay-court match last year, but playing on the indoor dirt last week at Billie Jean King Cup should really help her out here. Of course, that doesn’t mean that she will match Varvara Gracheva’s experience in these conditions with the Frenchwoman reaching the semifinals here three years ago. But Kartal is a smart player who will keep improving with experience. With Gracheva’s form looking a little doubtful right now, there’s no reason why the Brit can’t be a factor here.
Prediction: Kartal in 3
Camilla Rosatello vs Alycia Parks
Head-to-head: First meeting
Qualifying is already a solid result for Camilla Rosatello, who hasn’t had many opportunities to show her talents on the main tour other than the United Cup mixed doubles performances a couple of years ago and some Italian wildcards. Alycia Parks is an opponent she won’t be in control against, but the American can hit herself off the court and does it often. Still, the indoor clay in Rouen should be a touch more suitable for the big server and she’ll probably do better than in her recent appearances on the dirt.
Prediction: Parks in 2
Linda Fruhvirtova vs Anna Blinkova
Head-to-head: Blinkova 1-0
Linda Fruhvirtova had a massive downfall after winning a WTA Tour title aged 17, but recently she’s been getting some form back. First it was a strong run in Miami (third round from qualifying), then the final at a WTA 125 in Puerto Vallarta. The only problem is the Czech didn’t seem fully fit in her final qualifying match here, losing in three sets to Aleksandra Krunic. As this looks like a very tight match on paper, it’s enough to make the erratic Anna Blinkova a tentative favorite.
Prediction: Blinkova in 3
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
