The WTA Iasi Open, played on outdoor clay courts in Iasi, Romania, has four first-round matches scheduled on Day 1. This article features #2 seed Petra Marcinko taking on Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate, but which players will advance to the next round?
WTA Iasi Day 1 Predictions
Alina Charaeva vs Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Alina Charaeva is still looking for her first Tour-level win, and this could be her biggest opportunity. In most of her previous main-draw matches, she faced players ranked well above her, but this time she plays Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva, who is ranked closer to her. Kasintseva has more experience at this level, but I think Chareva will be dialled in more for this contest.
Prediction: Charaeva in 3
Yulia Putintseva vs Clara Burel
Head-to-Head: Putintseva 1-0 Burel
Yulia Putintseva wasted no time getting back to clay courts after Wimbledon and made the semifinals of the WTA 125 event in Bastad. She lost to the eventual champion, Paula Badosa, and with some matches already under her belt, she will be looking to make a deep run this week. Clara Burel is ranked #702, and it will take her some time to get back to her desired level. I am going with the Kazakh player.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
Anna Bondar vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Head-to-Head: Bondar 0-1 Sorribes Tormo
#7 seed Anna Bondar had a disappointing grass season and is on a five-match losing streak at this level. She is much more comfortable on clay, which should help her play better, but she faces a stern test in the first round. Sara Sorribes Tormo is also a clay specialist and leads the head-to-head against Bondar. Her current ranking of 253 is due to limited play and doesn’t show her true level. Winning this match could be huge for the Spaniard’s confidence, and I am backing her here.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 3
Petra Marcinko vs Nadia Podoroska
Head-to-Head: first meeting
20-year-old Petra Marcinko has been very impressive this season. She won her first WTA title in Rabat, losing just one set and recently made the semifinals on the grass courts of Eastbourne. Nadia Podoroska has been inconsistent lately, and if she doesn’t defend well in this matchup, Marcinko’s aggressive baseline game will take over. Marcinko should win this even if it goes the distance.
Prediction: Marcinko in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
