The Baltic Open has served up a number of intriguing encounters on day three in Jurmala including an all-French battle and Latvian #1 Anastasia Sevastova’s second match in her home country. But who will book their place in the quarterfinals?
Baltic Open Day Three Predictions
Anastasija Sevastova vs Dalila Jakupovic
Head-to-head: Sevastova 1-0 Jakupovic
Sevastova dismantled Varvara Flink in the first round, dropping only three games in defeating the Russian. Jakupovic, meanwhile, despite looking to be outmatched in the first round, showed real nerve and determination against Ana Bogdan of Romania. The Slovakian had lost her last seven on clay prior to Monday and was on a six-match losing streak, so to claim a straight sets win was extremely impressive.
But she may need more than nerve and determination to get past the top-seeded Latvian. Sevastova looks like she means business here in her homeland and is the better player in every department. However, the only time they have met before went to a third set tiebreak on the clay in Bucharest last year. That may give Jakupovic hope that she can spring a surprise, but don’t expect her to realise those hopes.
Prediction: Sevastova in 2
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Anhelina Kalinina vs Patricia Maria Tig
Head-to-head: first meeting
Kalinina saw off third seed Katerina Siniakova impressively in the first round, dominating the decider to complete a 4-6 6-4 6-1 comeback win. Tig, meanwhile, is in the midst of an extremely impressive comeback onto the WTA Tour. Having qualified for Bucharest last week despite not possessing an WTA ranking, she managed to reach the final, though she was overwhelmed there by Elena Rybakina, winning just two games.
She rebounded from that disappointment to dispatch Ankita Raina spectacularly in the first round for the loss of just three games. It is nonetheless difficult to assess exactly where Tig’s game is at as this is just the second tournament she has played in over two years. But it is hard to argue with eight wins in nine matches. The Romanian, once ranked as high as 83rd in the world, has looked confident and dynamic on her return to the tour and she should have enough to get past Kalinina.
Prediction: Tig in 3
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Jana Fett v Katarzyna Kawa
Head-to-head: Fett 1-0 Kawa
Fett played some excellent tennis to beat Tatjana Maria of Germany, the seventh seed, in the first round. Having been a break down in the final set, she dug in and held her nerve to rally past a player ranked over 200 places above her. Kawa, who came through the qualifying at the Baltic Open, was also taken the distance against Ysaline Bonaventure, but managed to progress. She will now surely have high hopes of a deep run.
Kawa is at her best on the clay, having won the majority of her ITF matches and tournaments on this surface. Fett, meanwhile, has struggled with her return game on the clay this year, having had real difficulty in breaking her opponent’s serve on this surface at WTA level. Fett did, however, win their only previous meeting, although that was four years ago now. It is also questionable how much Fett will have left in the tank after her big win over Maria. Expect Kawa to take advantage.
Prediction: Kawa in 3
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Chloe Paquet vs Caroline Garcia
Head-to-head: Paquet 0-3 Garcia
Garcia once again struggled against a left-hander in the shape of Kristyna Pliskova in the first round at the Baltic Open, but did well to emerge a 6-3 6-7 7-6 victor after a real battle. Paquet impressed in beating the qualifier Basak Eraydin, but it is hard to see her progressing any further. Garcia has won all three of their previous matches in straight sets, including two on clay, and expect the second seed to be comfortable once again.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
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