We continue our predictions of the WTA 250 in Iasi, where a host of players are looking to get into the swing of things before we embark on the second half of the year. Clay events in July always carry a misplaced feeling, but for these players, it presents a huge opportunity to get some wins on the board as well as some momentum in the tank. Wherever the tennis goes, we here at LWOT provide our insights and predictions, and today is no different. Let’s get right into it.
WTA Iasi Day 4 Predictions
Mayar Sherif vs Kaitlin Quevedo
Head-to-head: first meeting
Since a qualifying first-round defeat at Wimbledon, Mayar Sherif has been busy on the red clay and has even won a title along the way, albeit at the WTA 125 level. Her opponent has also been busy on the surface, following similar circumstances, but has enjoyed limited success. The Egyptian Sherif has dropped only one set during this run of form across six matches, and in her first match here, she absolutely dismantled her opponent. Quevedo also had a good first match, but on the balance of things, it’s hard to look past Sherif in this kind of form.
Prediction: Sherif in 2
Panna Udvardy vs Katarzyna Kawa
Head-to-head: Kawa 4-1
While Udvardy is the higher-ranked player, her recent form has left much to be desired, with only a third of her last nine matches won. Kawa, on the other hand, has had a better time of it, having even won a title as recently as last month. She also leads in their head-to-head and should therefore feel very positive about her chances here. Udvardy also needed three sets in her first match here to beat a player ranked lower than Kawa, who, in her first match, won in straight sets, although the match was quite topsy-turvy. Taking all this into account, I’d expect Kawa to edge out what should be a tightly contested affair.
Prediction: Kawa in 3
Oleksandra Oliynykova vs Elena Pridankina
Head-to-head: Oliynykova 1-0
Both players met earlier this year, which also happened to be a clay court match at the French Open. The Ukrainian emerged victorious in a straight-sets beatdown, and while her form has tailed off since then, you’d still expect her to draw a lot of motivation from that victory. Interestingly, Pridankina has found some good form since that match, having lost just once in her last six. She, therefore, arrives in this one quietly confident that she can make a better time of it. Oliynykova’s defensive-first, unorthodox approach is sure to cause her Russian opponent problems, as it has before. Still, Pridankina now knows what to expect, and I’d back her more proactive and steady approach to eventually come through on the day.
Prediction: Pridankina in 3
Alevtina Ibragimova vs Paula Badosa
Head-to-head: first meeting
Badosa has been so far from her best this season, and after a first-round defeat at Wimbledon, she also found some joy at the WTA 125 level, where she claimed a trophy in Sweden before coming into this one. She is also yet to drop even a set in that time. All of this bodes terribly for Ibragimova, who, truthfully, has also been having a very good time of it, making this matchup quite an unfortunate hand dealt to her. Badosa is head and shoulders the superior player here, and only some kind of total meltdown will open the door for her young opponent. I’m backing the Spaniard to ride the ongoing wave to another victory.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
