Day 3 of the Lexus WTA Eastbourne Open promises to be packed with some exciting tennis action. 2021 champion Jelena Ostapenko is featured in this article as she takes on Panna Udvardy of Hungary. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for all the matches, but which players will advance to the quarterfinals?
WTA Eastbourne Day 3 Predictions
Kimberly Birrell vs Petra Marcinko
Head-to-Head: Birrell 1-0 Marcinko
Lucky loser Petra Marcinko survived a marathon match in the first round against Antonia Ruzic, which lasted over three and a half hours. It was an erratic match from start to end, but Marcinko held her nerve better in the deciding set tiebreak to win. Kimberly Birrell, on the other hand, is playing at a much higher level and upset Barbora Krejcikova in the first round. I am giving her the clear advantage in this one.
Prediction: Birrell in 2
Caty McNally vs Emiliana Arango
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Qualifier Emiliana Arango upset Maya Joint, who was the defending Eastbourne champion. This is Arango’s first tour-level win on grass, and what a way to do it. She has been very impressive this week, but maintaining the consistency would be difficult. Caty McNally is much more experienced on this surface and is in good touch. I am backing her to win here.
Prediction: McNally in 3
Zeynep Sonmez vs Sara Bejlek
Head-to-Head: Sonmez 0-1 Bejlek
Zeynep Sonmez came back from a set down against Harriet Dart to register her first-ever win at the Eastbourne Open. Sonmez was also a break down in the deciding set, but locked in towards the end to clinch the match. There were 18 breaks of serve in the match, and Sonmez can’t afford this level going forward. I expect a much improved performance from the Turkish player in the second round. Bejlek has struggled to win matches in recent months, so winning consecutive matches would be hard.
Prediction: Sonmez in 3
Jelena Ostapenko vs Panna Udvardy
Head-to-Head: first meeting
In her first grass court match of the season, #3 seed Jelena Ostapenko lost just four games and remained unbroken. She looked relaxed and confident at the same time and played some great shots in the match. It was the ideal first match for the former champion as she looks to get her hands on the trophy for the second time. Panna Udvardy is a resilient opponent, but she is more of a clay court specialist, and I don’t see her troubling the Latvian on these fast courts.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
