It should be another enjoyable day of WTA Cincinnati tennis. Last year’s runner-up Jessica Pegula, two-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini, and 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko are among those scheduled to play. As always, we at LWOT predict all the matches in our articles.
WTA Cincinnati Day 4 Predictions
Emma Navarro vs Ella Seidel
Head-to-head: First meeting
Navarro’s poor season compared to last year continued at the Citi DC Open and National Bank Open. She cannot afford any complacency against Seidel, who has won three matches since qualifying. The German possesses a variety that could unsettle the world No. 11 for stages if she is not feeling confident. However, Navarro’s record in opening rounds this year, despite struggling more in 2024, is solid, and she can win this match without being at her best.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Jelena Ostapenko vs Camila Osorio
Head-to-head: Osorio 1-0 Ostapenko
Osorio stunned Ostapenko at the 2024 Paris Olympics. That occurred on clay, the Colombian’s best surface by far. Handling Ostakpenko’s power in Cincinnati will be even more challenging for Osorio. Although the courts are slower than last year, they are still significantly more lively than the clay in Paris. That should give Ostapenko the edge.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Jasmine Paolini vs Maria Sakkari
Head-to-head: Sakkari 2-1 Paolini
Sakkari dismantled Paolini in their last meeting in Madrid, but the Italian won their sole previous hard-court match. Paolini’s form has faltered since winning her home event in Rome. Predicting Sakkari’s contests is challenging because her level fluctuates. But I feel she can take confidence from playing well in Madrid against Paolini and be aggressive with her forehand again. In the relatively quick conditions in Cincinnati, that could give the Greek the edge.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Jessica Pegula vs Kimberly Birrell
Head-to-head: First meeting
Pegula has not been at her best since reaching the Miami Open final in March. This is a pretty good first match for the American to get, even though Birrell played very well against Anna Blinkova in the opening round. Birrell needs to serve well and hope that Pegula has a bad day. Despite her recent struggles, Pegula losing this match would be shocking.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
