There should be plenty of entertaining action on Wednesday at the WTA Istanbul Cup, with the first-round set to be completed. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering predictions for all eight matches on day three, including Caroline Garcia vs Cagla Buyukakcay. But who will book their place in the last 16 in Turkey’s second city?
WTA Istanbul Cup Wednesday Predictions
Olga Danilovic vs Patricia Maria Tig
Head-to-head: First meeting
Patricia Maria Tig reached the second round at the US Open, getting her first win after the restart in the process. She played two clay-court tournaments in Palermo and Prague, but failed to impress in losses to Anett Kontaveit and Barbora Krejcikova. Olga Danilovic, meanwhile, stayed in Europe and pulled off two quick wins in qualifying. That should stand her in good stead against Tig, who has had relatively little time to readjust to the clay.
Prediction: Danilovic in 2
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Margarita Gasparyan vs Pemra Ozgen
Head-to-head: First meeting
Pemra Ozgen stayed in Europe during the US Open and won matches at the WTA 125k event in Prague, before losing to Georgina Garcia-Perez. On the very same day, Margarita Gasparyan was playing Serena Williams on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The two will now meet in the first round at the WTA Istanbul Cup, just five days later. Gasparyan might be a bit jet lagged and lacking clay practice, but she should still have enough. The Russian played well in Turkey last year and this looks like a favourable draw.
Prediction: Gasparyan in 3
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Viktoria Kuzmova vs Alison Van Uytvanck
Head-to-head: first meeting
This is a tough match to call between two players who haven’t been able to find their form after the restart. Alison Van Uytvanck is yet to pick up a win, with her decision not to play any tennis while the season was suspended looking costly. But, while it might not seem so at first glance, her flat powerful groundstrokes can be effective on the clay. But Kuzmova should be more match ready, given how many exhibition matches she played on this surface over the summer.
Prediction: Kuzmova in 3
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Viktoriya Tomova vs Eugenie Bouchard
Head-to-head: first meeting
Viktoriya Tomova failed to impress at the US Open, losing in the opening round to Amanda Anisimova. Eugenie Bouchard, meanwhile stayed in Europe, reaching the quarterfinals at the Prague Open, but then losing to Renata Zarazua at the WTA 125K Prague. Still, she has already won two matches at the WTA Istanbul Cup, qualifying for the event with very solid wins over Ivana Jorovic and Leonie Kung. Those are solid clay-court competitors and with more match rhythm than Tomova, Bouchard should be able to pick up another win.
Prediction: Bouchard in 2
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