One of the tournaments kicking off the 2022 WTA clay-court season will be the Copa Colsanitas Presentado Por Zurich in Bogota. Sara Errani used to be extremely dominant in smaller dirt events like this one. Can the veteran lock up her first deep run in a while here? Who do you think will advance to the next round? We also predict the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article.
WTA Bogota Day 1 Predictions
Despina Papamichail vs Lucrezia Stefanini
Head-to-head: 1-1
Lucrezia Stefanini is having a very topsy-turvy 2022 campaign. Outside of her ITF title in Sharm el Sheikh, she’s only won one match in her other seven events. Despina Papamichail is also desperately seeking form and for both players, this is not only an opportunity to gain a few ranking points, but also to regain some confidence. The Greek might have defeated a 17-year-old Stefanini at Santa Margherita di Pula back in 2015, but at this point of their career, it’s the Italian who’s been the stronger player of late. Last year, she also straight-setted Papamichail in Orlando.
Prediction: Stefanini in 3
Laura Pigossi vs Harmony Tan
Head-to-head: First meeting
While Harmony Tan is yet to compete on clay courts this year, it’s generally been a very pleasant surface for the 24-year-old Frenchwoman. Tan has exceeded expectations in 2022 so far, establishing herself on the WTA Tour and winning a match in almost every event she played. Laura Pigossi hasn’t been able to do that at all. While the Brazilian got through the qualifying draw, neither of her wins were particularly impressive and more practice on the Bogota courts shouldn’t outweigh the difference in class.
Prediction: Tan in 3
Stefanie Voegele vs Sara Errani
Head-to-head: Errani 3-2
While they played twice in 2020, it’s been eleven years since their only clay-court meeting. It will be quite fun to revisit this matchup after all these years. This surface should usually favor Sara Errani. While the Italian hasn’t won a match on clay this year yet, the 34-year-old competed just once in Marbella and gave Arantxa Rus a very tough challenge. Her determination to keep fighting for her goals has been incredible in recent times, even though she’s extremely far from her best. The dirt brings out the best in Errani and it may do that again.
Prediction: Errani in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
