The WTA Melbourne Summer Set continues on Day 3, with both tournaments contesting all Round of 16 matches. The tournament labeled “Melbourne 1” has the bigger names, and they take the stage on Thursday for the second round. We look at all the matches, split between this and a separate article. Who do you think will win?
WTA Melbourne Summer Set 1 Day 3 Predictions
Clara Burel vs Andrea Petkovic
It’s a matchup of youth vs experience, and I’m definitely going for youth here. Burel has a huge upside and she looked very solid in her opening match. Petkovic will make her work for it, but I expect the young Frenchwoman to move on.
Prediction: Burel in 2
Ana Konjuh vs Kaia Kanepi
Konjuh was impressive in her opening-round upset of Tereza Martincova, while Kanepi faced a tough challenge from Jaqueline Cristian. On another day I might take Kanepi, but the Croat looks better in this event so far, so I’ll stick with her.
Prediction: Konjuh in 2
Veronika Kudermetova vs Madison Brengle
Both of these players won their opening matches in straight sets–in two tiebreaks. What are the odds of that? Brengle did it against a superior opponent (barely), but this really tells us nothing about either woman’s current level. Kudermetova is a better player overall, so I’ll give her the nod, but this could go either way.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Naomi Osaka vs Maryna Zanevska
Osaka had a bit of a walkabout second set in her opening round, but she pulled through over Alize Cornet in the end. Zanevska doesn’t have the game to challenge Osaka even if the Japanese woman isn’t at her best, so expect the top seed to move on.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
