Main Draw action continues in Rabat on Tuesday, and some of the tournament’s bigger names get into the action. Who will advance? Let’s try to help you figure it out.
WTA Rabat Day 2 Predictions
Daria Gavrilova vs Su-Wei Hsieh
Head to Head: 2-0 Gavrilova
The best prediction for this match is that it will probably be the longest of the Day 2 matches. Both players are known for their defenses and ability to extend points, so the winner will likely be whoever can play the cleanest game and avoid unforced errors. Gavrilova won both their previous meetings, but neither came on clay and only one of them was in the last four years. Hsieh has had the much stronger season this year, and has two matches on clay under her belt, as opposed to none for Gavrilova. Hsieh should win easily.
Prediction: Hsieh in 2
Johanna Konta vs Yafan Wang
Head to Head: First meeting
This matchup is intriguing as both players do not play their best tennis on clay, and it is the first match on the surface of the season for both. Each player has found herself in the top 50 thanks to strong play over the last year, and for Wang, the last couple of months especially. She won Acapulco and had an excellent run to the fourth round in Miami. Konta has had a strong season herself, though not by her standards of a few years ago. Wang is in better form right now and will force Konta to make too many errors and win the match.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Elise Mertens vs Kirsten Flipkens
Head to Head: First meeting
This match has upset potential. Mertens comes in as the tournament’s top seed, and she has always played her best tennis on clay courts. However, Flipkens is still playing well enough to stay in the top 60, despite turning 33 this year. Mertens is in a bit of a slump, losing her first match back-to-back tournaments on clay, highlighted by a straight set loss to struggling Daria Kasatkina. Although Flipkens has a fighting chance, her game on clay will likely not be enough to get past a still-dangerous Mertens.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Timea Bacsinszky vs Johanna Larsson
Head to Head: 5-1 Bacsinszky
This first-round matchup consists of two players who have fallen quite far from their high rankings. Bacsinszky dealt with injuries in a difficult 2018 seeing her ranking fall out of the top 100, but has begun to rebound this year. Larsson, on the other hand, has been dreadful this season, winning just one of ten matches played in 2019–when her opponent retired. Bacsinszky is in better form, and she is the stronger player on clay, helping her cruise to a first round victory.
Prediction: Bacsinszky in 2
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