The US Open is entering its final stages, but there’s additional WTA tennis happening in Istanbul, Turkey as well. The main draw of the TEB BNP Paribas Tennis Championship Istanbul features some early losers in New York and also some players who opted to skip the trip to the United States.
Without further ado, let’s analyze several of Tuesday’s matches. We also have predictions for four other matches on Tuesday.
WTA Istanbul Tuesday Predictions
Paula Badosa vs Katarina Zavatska
Head to head: Zavatska 1-0
Both players desperately need this win. Badosa has failed to back up her strong showing at the Australian Open, where she challenged Petra Kvitova. Besides, she underwent nose surgery in July. Meanwhile, Zavatska is currently sitting on a dismal 3-8 record this season. Even though she hails from Spain and she lifted the girls title at Roland Garros back in 2015, Badosa owns a surface-versatile game, as opposed to Zavatska, whose results on clay are far superior to her numbers elsewhere. Close call, but Badosa is more solid at the moment.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Polona Hercog vs Berfu Cengiz
Head to head: first meeting
The 20-year-old Cengiz is, along with Ipek Soylu, the natural heir to Cagla Buyukakcay and Pemra Ozgen atop Turkish tennis. Nevertheless, she is still ranked No. 387 in the world. Facing a player of Hercog’s caliber right away is a tall order for the local wild card. The Slovenian, who skipped the US Open, barely lost to Simona Halep in a third set tiebreak last month in Palermo. Moreover, Hercog was a finalist in Istanbul two years ago, beating the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Svetlana Kuznetsova, and Maria Sakkari. It should be a one-sided affair.
Prediction: Hercog in 2
Aliaksandra Sasnovich vs Zarina Diyas
Head to head: Diyas 1-0 Sasnovich
Sasnovich is massively under-ranked at No. 106 as she proved in New York. After a miraculous comeback against ex-Ohio State star Francesca Di Lorenzo, the Belorussian thrashed Marketa Vondrousova 6-1 6-2 and stole a set from Yulia Putintseva. Sasnovich’s ranking ballooned because she posted a calamitous 3-16 record over a five-month stretch last year. Speaking of bad streaks, Diyas is in the midst of one. Following a 9-1 start to her 2020 campaign, the 26-year-old has dropped five consecutive matches. Sasnovich might be a bit jet-lagged still, but she performed alright in Palermo and Prague ahead of the US Open, whereas the Kazakh’s last competitive match on clay dates back to last year’s French Open, 15 months ago. Will she remember how to slide?
Prediction: Sasnovich in 2
Heather Watson vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Head to head: Watson 2-1 Sorribes
These two players are trending in opposite directions. Watson was feeling her game early in 2020, as she compiled a robust 13-5 pre-pandemic record, including the Acapulco title. However, she went winless in Lexington, Cincinnati, and the US Open. Contrarily, Sorribes Tormo started the season slow but has won three matches in the last two official events she entered. Furthermore, despite the disparity in talent level, it’s worth noting the Spaniard won back-to-back Liga MAPFRE tournaments in July on clay. On hard I would lean toward Watson, but Sorribes feels more comfortable on dirt. Don’t forget she dismantled Naomi Osaka 6-0 6-3 in a Fed Cup tie back in February.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 3
Main Photo:
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