After a thrilling week in Montreal, the WTA Tour turns to its next big tournament for Day 1 in Cincinnati. Everyone is gearing up for the US Open, as this tournament matches its conditions quite well. As always, we’re here to predict every match for you. We have the rest of the matches in two other articles. One features Yulia Putintseva vs Zhang Shuai and the other features Petra Kvitova vs Madison Keys. Who do you think will win on Day 1 of the WTA Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati?
WTA Cincinnati Day 1 Predictions
Jelena Ostapenko vs Tamara Zidansek
Zidansek had an impressive stretch of form earlier this year, but she doesn’t have the consistency to be a top player. Then again, neither does Ostapenko. The Latvian is a former Grand Slam champion but she hasn’t quite put it all together since then. There are signs that she’s finding her form a bit, though, which is bad for the field. On this surface, her power can outhit anyone.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Paula Badosa vs Petra Martic
In some ways, Badosa is this year’s version of Martic. Martic had a huge breakout run in 2019, and looked like she might even win the French Open. She’s hit a wall since then, though, and hasn’t found her top form. Badosa is in the midst of a breakthrough right now, and looked back in June like she could have won Roland Garros. Will the Spaniard’s run of form last? I don’t know. But she’s certainly playing better than Martic right now.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Alison Riske vs Leylah Fernandez
Fernandez will be disappointed about her showing in Canada last week. Riske, meanwhile, can never seem to stay healthy. On a fast hard court, the Canadian’s power should be enough to beat the American, though Fernandez tends to be inconsistent at times, especially since coming back from the pandemic break.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Barbora Krejcikova vs Daria Kasatkina
Barbora Krejcikova is absolutely on top of the world right now. She won the French Open a few months ago, followed it up with a good run at Wimbledon, then proved that she can compete on hard courts too by winning Gold in Tokyo. She took a week off to rest, but she’s back and ready to take over again. Daria Kasatkina is a good player in good form, but it’s foolish right now to pick against Krejcikova.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
