This week’s WTA event in Cleveland understandably doesn’t feature a particularly strong field, with Cincinnati just finishing and the US Open starting next week. The lack of top players, however, gives several players an opportunity for a rare WTA-level title, which will surely make everyone give it their best and lead to some high-quality tennis and very exciting matches. But who will advance?
WTA Cleveland Day 3 Predictions
Anastasia Zakharova vs Hailey Baptiste
Head-to-head: Baptiste 1-0 Zakharaova
Baptiste has been having a solid season, steadily rising through the rankings and doing well in Slams. She has been playing at a clearly higher level than Zakharova, and under normal circumstances, she should be able to prevail here, even if this does have the potential to be a close match that could well go the distance.
Prediction: Baptiste in 3
Eva Lys vs Polina Kudermetova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Kudermetova finally snapped her 10-match losing streak in the first round here, and it’s still clear that she is going through a very tough patch of form in general. Another win here would go a long way towards changing that negative momentum, but at the moment, Lys is clearly playing at a higher level and definitely has the edge in this matchup going in.
Prediction: Lys in 3
Solana Sierra vs Elsa Jacquemot
Head-to-head: Jacquemot 2-0 Sierra
Sierra might be the higher ranked player, but Jacquemot has never lost a set in this matchup and has been playing very well so far in Cleveland, making it past qualifying and winning the first round without losing a set. While it should quite a close match, all things considered Jacquemot should have at least a slight advantage here.
Prediction: Jacquemot in 3
Ann Li vs Iva Jovic
Head-to-head: first meeting
Jovic has established herself as one of the brightest and fastest rising young players on tour and will surely be aiming for a strong US Open run next week. A good campaign here in Cleveland could definitely help her gain momentum for that and on paper she got a good draw here against a fellow American who, despite being currently higher, doesn’t seem to have the same level of potential.
Prediction: Jovic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui – Imagn Images
