Second-round matches will take place on Day 3 of the WTA Nottingham Open. Four matches are scheduled for the day, with Yulia Putintseva and Leylah Fernandez being the highest-ranked seeds. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate. But who will advance to the quarterfinals?
WTA Nottingham Day 3 Predictions
Dayana Yastremska vs Antonia Ruzic
Head-to-Head: Yastremska 1-0 Ruzic
Dayana Yastremska got a great win in the first round against Olga Danilovic. It was a tough match for both players, but Yastremska’s aggression behind the second serve return proved to be the difference as she let Danilovic win only 33% of second serve points. Qualifier Antonia Ruzic played the best match of her campaign and easily defeated Lucia Bronzetti in straight sets. Yastremska would be a much tougher test, and it will be interesting to see how Ruzic handles it.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3
Linda Noskova vs Francesca Jones
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Linda Noskova saved two match points against Anca Todoni in the deciding set tie break to win the match fascinatingly. Noskova won four straight points to end the match and win her first match on grass this season. Wild card Francesca Jones defeated her compatriot Harriet Dart in a close two-setter. Dart is defending quarterfinal points from last year, but it would be a stern test against Noskova. However, Jones has the crowd’s support and will enter this match as the underdog, which will likely help her play freely.
Prediction: Jones in 3
Yulia Putintseva vs Rebecca Sramkova
Head-to-Head: Putintseva 0-1 Sramkova
#4 seed, Yulia Putintseva, made a winning start to her debut in Nottingham as she comfortably dispatched Hannah Klugman. Putintseva broke Klugman’s serve six times in the match and never let the teenager get into the match. Rebecca Sramkova will be a much tougher opponent as she has already beaten Putinsteva. Sramkova got just her second win on grass in the first round, and it was a long battle. If Putintseva plays smartly, she can force errors from the Slovakian player.
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Leylah Fernandez vs Cristina Bucsa
Head-to-Head: Fernandez 2-0 Bucsa
Lucky loser, Cristina Bucsa, made the most of her second chance and defeated Yulia Starodubtseva in the first round. It was a solid performance from the Spaniard and her first main draw win on grass this season. Leylah Fernandez ended her four-match losing streak as she defeated Suzan Lamens in a nervy encounter. It was a much-needed win for the Canadian and should give her some confidence. Fernandez needs confidence to play her best tennis, and she will need to do that to beat Bucsa.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac – USA TODAY Sports
