The remaining WTA Montreal round of 32 matches are scheduled for Day 6. Wimbledon runner-up Amanda Anisimova and 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu will meet for the third time this year. This piece also predicts Jessica Pegula and Belinda Bencic’s matches. We at LWOT predict the rest of the action, including Iga Swiatek vs. Eva Lys, separately.
WTA Montreal Day 6 Predictions
Clara Tauson vs Yuliia Starodubtseva
Head-to-head: First meeting
Starodubtseva’s opening two matches in Montreal showed her inconsistency. The Ukrainian only narrowly beat Yafan Wang in a scrappy encounter before thrashing the 21st seed Magdalena Frech 6-1 6-1. Tauson only dropped three games in her sole match against Lucia Bronzetti. Starodubtseva’s game is more naturally suited to opponents who allow her time on her shots, making Tauson a challenging matchup. An upset is possible, but the Dane starts as the favorite.
Prediction: Tauson in 3
Belinda Bencic vs Karolina Muchova
Head-to-head: Bencic 2-1 Muchova
Bencic needed her best tennis to beat the now-retired Eugenie Bouchard in a high-quality three-set battle. Muchova’s 7-5 7-5 win against Antonia Ruzic was much scrappier. The 2023 French Open runner-up has struggled to string together a consistent run of good performances this year, partially due to injuries. I trust Bencic’s level more, and the Olympic Gold Medalist’s significant advantage in backhand-to-backhand exchanges might prove crucial.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Jessica Pegula vs Anastasija Sevastova
Head-to-head: Pegula 1-1 Sevastova
35-year-old Sevastova does not have much to lose against the two-time defending champion Pegula. She has already had a great tournament after overcoming Ajla Tomljanovic and Magda Linette. Despite Pegula’s struggles since reaching the Miami Open final in March, she should have few problems here. The conditions suit her game perfectly, and she is one of the best hard-court players in the world at her best.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Amanda Anisimova vs Emma Raducanu
Head-to-head: Raducanu 2-0 Anisimova
Raducanu did not drop a set in triumphs against Anisimova at this year’s Australian Open and Miami Open. The Briton’s game suits soaking up pressure, and she made that count in those meetings. However, I give last year’s runner-up Anisimova a very slight edge in Montreal. The conditions are a little quicker than in Melbourne or Miami, which helps the American more in this matchup. It could easily go either way, though.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Main Photo Syndication: Desert Sun
