The Internationaux de Strasbourg is in full-swing, with the main draw getting underway on Sunday. Check out our WTA Strasbourg Day 2 Predictions.
Australian World #9 Ash Barty heads the field, with fellow top ten member Aryna Sabalenka also in contention in northeastern France.
Sabalenka was the most notable name to come through on the opening day of action. She eased past China’s Lin Zhu for the loss of just one game in an incredibly dominant performance lasting just 47 minutes. The Belorussian will meet a qualifier in the second round, in the shape of either former World #27 and two-time WTA champion Laura Siegemund or Renata Zarazua of Mexico.
Qiang Wang was another top seed to advance, toppling Jennifer Brady 6-4 6-3 to smoothly move into round two. Fiona Ferro awaits in round two, after she downed Luksika Kumkhum in comfortable fashion, 6-3 6-1.
Saisai Zheng, seeded seventh at this year’s event, edged Harmony Tan in two tie-break sets to progress to the last 16. The only other lady to move through on Sunday was Swedish Rebecca Peterson, who recovered from a set down to defeat Poland’s Magda Linette.
WTA Strasbourg Day 2 Predictions
Monica Puig vs Tatjana Maria
The 2016 Rio Olympics champion opens play on Day 2. The Puerto Rican takes on the German 31-year-old, having won their only previous meeting in Charleston eight years ago. In terms of career success, the pair are almost identical, with one singles title each to their name on the WTA Tour and almost $3 million in prize money. Neither player will wish to consult the form book ahead of this encounter, with Puig’s 9/9 and Maria’s 13/14 win/loss underlining their disappointing seasons thus far.
I fancy the German here, but think it will be tight as per their three set match in 2011, with both players out of sorts relative to their previous successes.
Prediction: Maria in 3
Caroline Garcia vs Shelby Rogers
It feels like a good run in Strasbourg is crucial if Garcia has hopes of making a deep run in Paris, where the home pressures will accentuate any frailties in her explosive game.
Also, a player not enjoying a great year by her high standards, Garcia will be looking to catch her American opponent cold, with this only Rogers’ 6th main-draw WTA match of the year after 12 months out after a knee surgery.
Garcia’s power and sheer dog-like fight on the court will be enough to see her through in this one for me, but it’s great to see Rogers.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Dayana Yastremska vs Pauline Parmentier
The fourteen-year gulf in age between these two is what catches the eye, and it will be interesting to see if the fearlessness of youth can overcome the steely and hardened-warrior on Patrice Dominguez. The impressive Yastremska, who already has two titles to her name as a teen, can feel confident here, and if she brings her best it’s hard to see Parmentier getting much of a look in.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Jessica Pegula vs Samantha Stosur
Kicking things off on Court 1 will be former US Open champion Stosur, currently sitting at a lowly #94 in the world, with just five wins to her name all year. Her opponent’s recent fortunes are in stark contrast, with 25-year-old American Pegula notching 16 wins and just eight defeats so far in 2019.
Pegula has reason for cautious optimism heading into this one with a straight-sets victory over Stosur to her name coupled with a good year that sees her comfortably inside the top 100 at #72.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
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