It’s been a frustrating time for spectators at the WTA Nurnberg Cup. At least in terms of seeing completed tennis matches. Two out of three matches on Sunday ended prematurely due to players retiring with injury, and rain disruption meant only one match on Monday reached a conclusion. The home crowd won’t complain too much though, as they saw the second highest-ranked German in the draw, Mona Barthel, complete a hard-fought 6-3 3-6 6-2 victory over Argentinian Paula Ormaechea. She awaits the winner of the Anna-Lena Friedsam vs Irina-Camelia Begu match that is delayed from Monday.
Nurnberg Cup Day 3 brings the hope of more completed tennis matches. Also, it sees the top German in the draw Andrea Petkovic in action against Cagla Buyukakcay. Here’s some predictions from a selection of the potentially enthralling day 3 action.
WTA Nurnberg Cup Day 3 Predictions
Sorana Cirstea vs Kirsten Flipkens
No history
#6 seed Kirsten Flipkens is seeking to snap a three-match losing streak. There is improvement showing in the Belgian’s performances. In her last match in Madrid against seasoned clay courter Sevastova, Flipkens’ serve’s potency and accuracy seemed to be returning. A 69% first serve percentage eclipsed the 68% in her last win against Garbine Muguruza in the Fed Cup. Two poor showings in the low 50s percentage-wise contributed to defeats to Ana Bogdan and Elise Mertens. This match could come down to Flipkens’ first serve performance.
Romania’s Sorana Cirstea is a solid 3-3 on clay and looked comfortable in her on-court movement when dispatching Madison Keys in the first round in Rome last week. Cirstea’s last eight matches have gone the distance. This one should do the same.
Prediction: Flipkens in 3
Sabine Lisicki vs Ajla Tomljanovic
No history
Germany’s Sabine Lisicki must be grateful for her wild card as she seeks her first of the season. This is a tough ask against Rabat semifinalist Ajla Tomljanovic. Unfortunately, it could become painful to watch for the home crowd.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 2
Mandy Minella vs Katerina Siniakova
Head-to-head: Siniakova 1-0 Minella
This tournament could easily be viewed as Siniakova’s time to shine. It’s a long time coming as well, as she has been off the boil this season. The 23-year-old World #45 seems to be playing with more hunger of late and results should start to reflect this. 31-year-old World #98 Mandy Minella is 3-4 on clay this season, including a foray into an ITF event last time out. She is a tough competitor, but Sinakova should be able to shrug her off.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Cagla Buyukakcay vs Andrea Petkovic
No history
Turkish World #246 Cagla Buyukakcay breezed through qualifying without dropping a set. Including an ITF tournament in Wiesbaden, her clay record for the season reads 4-2. German star Andrea Petkovic failed to clamber out of qualifying in Rome or Madrid. At times in her second round Stuttgart loss to Angelique Kerber she played some strong attacking tennis and had Kerber worried. Focus seems to desert her at key moments. This will be a close encounter, as Petkovic often manages to let opponents back in when seemingly in control. That said, she should have enough with the help of the home crowd to get over the line in this one.
Prediction: Petkovic in 3
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