The first tournament of 2021, Abu Dhabi WTA Women’s Tennis Open, saw first round action Wednesday. A strong field is assembled for this WTA 500 tournament, led by top seed Sofia Kenin. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate on day two, including Sorana Cirstea vs Karolina Pliskova, Elise Mertens vs Alize Cornet, Garbine Muguruza vs Kristina Mladenovic and Aryna Sabalenka vs Polona Hercog. Who do you think will reach the second round?.
WTA Abu Dhabi Open Day 2 Predictions
Arantxa Rus vs Wang Xiyu
Head to head: Rus 1-0
Arantxa Rus and Wang Xiyu will be familiar with each other. After all, they recently squared off in Dubai where Rus emerged the victor. The Dutchwoman moved on to the third round dropping a mere four games to Wang. Unfortunately for Wang, this clash looks to be a repeat for the Chinese. Expect Wang to have learned a thing or two from her Dubai loss, but not nearly enough to earn a different outcome.
Prediction: Rus in 2
Aliaksandra Sasnovich vs Anna Bondar
Head to head: First meeting
Qualifier Anna Bondar will need to jump a high hurdle in this match-up. The Hungarian should feel some level of confidence. Her strong return game pushed her past the qualifying rounds and into the main draw. Yet, Aliaksandra Sasnovich is a much sterner test. Sasnovich possesses a solid backhand and Bondar will not be able to overcome in those extended rallies. This one will go to the Belarusian.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 2
Vera Zvonareva vs Amandine Hesse
Head to head: First meeting
Amandine Hesse easily cruised through qualifying rounds for her spot in the main draw. The veteran Frenchwoman is more familiar with ITF level events, and will certainly find herself in over her head against the former World #2, Vera Zvonareva. After a year away from tennis, the veteran Russian has steadily re-established herself as a force in the game. After more than two decades on tour, Zvonareva will know how to get this done… and quickly.
Prediction: Zvonareva in 2
Tamara Zidansek vs Jennifer Brady
Head to head: Zidansek 1-0
The only meeting between Zidansek and Brady came in January 2020, in favor of Tamara Zidansek. Then, Brady began her break out year, quickly climbed up the rankings. Thanks to a powerful game capitalized by a big serve, the American moved into the Top 25 for the first time in her career. Yet, it is precisely Brady’s style which may be her undoing against the Slovenian.
Zidansek lacks the Brady power, but makes up for it in her defensive skills. She will keep the ball in play long past Brady’s comfort level. It may force the World #24 to go for too much too soon and over press. If the unforced error count rises for Brady, so does Zidansek’s chances for a win.
Expect this one to take a while. If Brady can keep the unforced error count down, and wait for the right ball before pulling the trigger, she will move on to the second round. I think Brady has matured enough to withstand the Zidansek threat.
Prediction: Brady in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
