The remainder of the second-round matchups will be completed on Sunday at the WTA Madrid Open. There should be plenty of entertaining action with a number of star names set to take to the court and, with the French Open looming large on the horizon, there should be no shortage of motivation. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule. But who will book their place in the last 16?
WTA Madrid Day 4 Predictions
Danielle Collins vs Bianca Andreescu
Head-to-head: first meeting
Danielle Collins heads into this second round clash with Bianca Andreescu ranked over 100 places above her Canadian opponent. Nevertheless, this promises to be a tough battle between two of the best competitors on tour. The sixth seeded Collins advanced through the first round with a 7-5 6-0 win over Monica Puig, whilst the Canadian wild card defeated Alison Riske 6-4 3-6 6-0.
This is a tough match to predict as both players have limited recent form to go off. Collins has barely played since reaching a maiden major final at the Australian Open earlier this year, whilst Andreescu only just started her season in Stuttgart a few weeks ago. Expect Andreescu to have the edge thanks to her versatility and tactical awareness. That gives her a point of difference in a matchup in which both players possess significant weaponry.
Prediction: Andreescu in 3
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Garbine Muguruza vs Anhelina Kalinina
Head-to-head: first meeting
It’s been a sorry start to the season for Garbine Muguruza. The Spaniard’s mediocre 5-5 win/loss record certainly isn’t what was expected after she ended 2021 on a high by winning the WTA Finals. The Spaniard will be hoping to turn things around this week in front of her home fans and made a decent start with a 7-5 6-2 opening round victory over Ajla Tomljanovic. The seventh seed should be able to record back-to-back wins for just the second time this year when she faces Anhelina Kalinina in the second round. Kalinina is a solid opponent, especially on clay, but is unlikely to pose much of a threat to Muguruza. The Spaniard is a class above.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
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Jessica Pegula vs Kaia Kanepi
Head-to-head: first meeting
Jessica Pegula made a great escape in the opening round. The American came from 2-5 down in the deciding set, saving a match point to complete a 7-5 2-6 7-5 win over Camila Giorgi. It’s been an inconsistent season for Pegula, but she has thrived on the big stages with a quarterfinal showing at the Australian Open and a semifinal appearance in Miami. Is she set for another deep run at a big event?
Kaia Kanepi keeps winning. The Estonian has also had some big results this season, including a quarterfinal run at the Australian Open earlier this year. Kanepi has won three matches in straight sets this week having come through the qualifying draw, including a 6-3 6-4 first round win in the main draw over Linda Fruhvirtova. This may well be where Kanepi’s run comes to an end. Pegula is a fantastic counterpuncher and is likely to be too solid in these conditions.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
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Emma Raducanu vs Marta Kostyuk
Head-to-head: Kostyuk 1-0 Raducanu
Emma Raducanu’s recent form is decent compared to her usually low standards since winning the US Open. The Brit arrived in Madrid fresh from a quarterfinal run in Stuttgart and made a decent start this week with a 7-6 6-0 win over Tereza Martincova. Marta Kostyuk also powered through her Madrid opener in straight sets as she defeated Clara Tauson 6-3 6-2.
Kostyuk thrashed Raducanu 6-2 6-1 at the quarterfinal stage in Cluj-Napoca last year in their only previous tour level meeting Kostyuk should prevail once again when they meet in Madrid, but it won’t be so easy on this occasion. Kostyuk is more experienced on the red dirt and has generally shown a higher base level this season.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3
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