Our WTA Luxembourg day 3 predictions include Latvian firecracker Jelena Ostapenko. The big-hitting Grand Slam winner pulled out of this year’s US Open after a decent showing in Cincinnati in the build-up. She will now look to finish the year strong and secure her highest year end ranking since 2018. In this piece I assess how her and the others involved in Thursday’s action should get on in Luxembourg. So without further ado, let’s dive in to this set of predictions. I also predict the rest of the day’s matches in another article.
WTA Luxembourg Open Day 3 Predictions
Zarina Diyas vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova
Head-to-head: 1 – 0 Diyas
This should be quite an interesting matchup. Zarina Diyas’ level has slipped over the last year or so and she finds herself outside the top 100 as a result. By contrast, Schmiedlova has forced her way back into the top 100 on the back of some strong showings in recent months. The former top 20 player will want to keep her momentum going and should be able to here against a dangerous but often inconsistent opponent. Diyas has the power to hit a fair few players off the court. However, she often goes for too much to often and that will cost her against an opponent as solid as Schmeidlova has been recently.
Prediction: Schmeidlova in 3
Greet Minnen vs Nuria Parrizas Diaz
Head-to-head: 1 – 0 Parrizas Diaz
Minnen enjoyed a spectacular run of good fortune in this year’s US Open to finally force her way inside the top 100 in the women’s game. The Belgian made it to the third round as a lucky loser before falling short to 2019 champion Bianca Andreescu. Her opponent here–Nuria Parrizas Diaz–should be less of a test than that match was. Nonetheless, the Spaniard is a tricky customer enjoying a purple patch of her own. In fact, she beet Minnen just last month on hard courts. On that evidence I think this match will go the distance, but I’m backing Minnen to get the job done here and even the head-to-head at one a piece.
Prediction: Minnen in 3
Jelena Ostapenko vs Jule Niemeier
Head-to-head:
There is only one question that matters in predicting who wins this match and that is which Ostapenko will we get. If we get the Latvian at her best or close to it – as she was before withdrawing in New York – then she wins here and wins comfortably. However, if she is off her game she may well be in for a tough outing. Jule Niemeier is enjoying a career year this year and has climbed over 130 ranking spots since 2021 began. The German is still relatively young and looks to have the tools to make inroads on the women’s tour if she can keep playing consistently well. This match is very much on Ostapenko’s racket as most of her matches are. However, don’t be surprised if Niemeier takes advantage of the Latvian’s rustiness and sneaks a set in this one.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
