Simona Halep takes on Elena Gabriela Ruse in an exciting all-Romanian clash at the 2022 WTA Melbourne Summer Set 1. All round of 16 matches will be completed on Thursday. We look at all the matches, split between this and a second article. Who do you think will advance to the quarterfinals?
WTA Melbourne Summer Set 1 Day 3 Predictions
Viktorija Golubic vs Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove
Head-to-head: 2-2
Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove owns two clay-court wins over Viktorija Golubic but the most recent one came seven years ago. The Dutchwoman has been impressive in this event so far, especially in a comfortable win over Dayana Yastremska in the first qualifying round. Her opponent will try to back up a fabulous 2021 campaign and kicked off her season with a nice win against Lauren Davis. Pattinama Kerkhove shouldn’t have enough weaponry to put much pressure on Golubic’s one-handed backhand. They haven’t played in five years and the Swiss should be able to gain the upper hand in this rivalry.
Prediction: Golubic in 2
Qinwen Zhang vs Vera Zvonareva
Head-to-head: First meeting
Eighteen years of age separate the two players. 19-year-old Qinwen Zhang seems to have a very high ceiling, but her powerful game can be very much hit or miss. The best illustration of that has been her campaign so far as the Chinese has produced a couple of matches filled with momentum changes. Vera Zvonareva opened her year with a very solid display against Alison Riske. With Zhang’s unsteady level, the veteran might be able to draw on her experience to outwit the talented, but raw opponent.
Prediction: Zvonareva in 3
Anastasia Potapova vs Anna Bondar
Head-to-head: First meeting
Anna Bondar is flying high on confidence right now, having finished her 2021 campaign with a phenomenal run in South America, which included a 125K ITF title at Buenos Aires. The Hungarian usually plays her best on clay but was able to reel off three straight matches from the qualifying here. Anastasia Potapova is still among the most talented youngsters on the WTA Tour, but hasn’t quite been able to keep progressing in a way that she was expected to. Her opening round against Lizzie Cabrera had her raise her level after a rusty first set. If she can keep it up, she should have an edge in this match on hard courts.
Prediction: Potapova in 3
Elena Gabriela Ruse vs Simona Halep
Head-to-head: Halep 1-0
Simona Halep won this one at the loss of just three games at Cluj-Napoca two months ago. The all-Romanian matchup doesn’t have to be that easy again, though, as Elena Gabriela Ruse is a powerful baseliner who can trouble pretty much anyone on her day. It’s too early to tell if Halep is back to her best. However, a pretty strong finish to her 2021 campaign and the previous win against her opponent should give her enough confidence to prevail again.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
