Day 2 of the inaugural WTA Memphis Classic continues with eight sets of first-round matches, as players look to make the most of one of the first stops on the North American hard-court swing before the final Major of the year. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including four in this piece. But who will advance?
WTA Memphis Day 2 Predictions
Kimberly Birrell vs Ye-Xin Ma
Head–to–Head: Sonmez 1 – 0 Brace
Kimberly Birrell knows exactly what Ye-Xin Ma brings to the court; this is a rivalry that’s split right down the middle, albeit in the lower rungs, and she is the one who owns the momentum now. With the Aussie making waves on the bigger stages these days, she’ll fancy her chances of doing it again if she can just hit her stride.
Prediction: Birrell in 2
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Kristina Liutova
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Ekaterina Alexandrova rides into this one with her mojo restored–grass has clearly washed away the misery of her clay-court slump, and she looks sharp again. Kristina Liutova, just 16 and ranked #229, brings promise but precious little big-match experience against a seasoned compatriot who should have far too much firepower for her. Don’t expect fireworks here and the top seed gets the job done comfortably barring any shocks.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Peyton Stearns vs Mary Stoiana
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Peyton Stearns heads into this all-American showdown with Mary Stoiana as the clear favorite, and the gap in class is hard to ignore. World #58 Stearns has built a résumé far beyond her opponent, who’s largely cut her teeth on the ITF grind. The two have crossed paths before, a three-set battle back in 2022 at a lower-tier event that Stearns edged, and she’s only climbed higher since, making this one about as straightforward a pick as you’ll find on the card.
Prediction: Stearns in 2
Xiyu Wang vs Caty McNally
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Caty McNally steps in with every card stacked in her favor, a spotless 4-0 head-to-head over Xiyu Wang and a record of never even dropping a set in this rivalry, albeit not on the main tour. Wang has the game to make it scrappy, but history, ranking, and surface all point the same direction: McNally should extend the perfect run to five.
Prediction: McNally in 2
Main Photo Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
