Plenty of seeds will open their 2022 German Open campaigns on Tuesday, Day 2 in Berlin. Will Maria Sakkari or Ekaterina Alexandrova struggle to beat Leolia Jeanjean and Maryna Zanevska, respectively? Can Garbine Muguruza get some form going after a very disappointing first half of the year? We also split the rest of the day’s matches between two other articles. One features Aryna Sabalenka vs Veronika Kudermetova and the other features Ons Jabeur vs Karolina Muchova. Who do you think will advance to the second round?
WTA Berlin Day 2 Predictions
Leolia Jeanjean vs Maria Sakkari
Head-to-head: Jeanjean 1-0
Interestingly, Leolia Jeanjean actually leads the head-to-head with a quarterfinal win at an ITF event at Borriol nine years ago. The Frenchwoman has been on the rise this year, already jumping over two hundred spots. She played college tennis in the States and still hasn’t maxed out her potential here. This is obviously a very big ask though. She can probably keep it somewhat close, especially as she’ll be familiar with the courts after coming through qualifying, but Maria Sakkari was decent enough in Nottingham to make an upset not too probable.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Maryna Zanevska vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-head: Alexandrova 2-0
Ekaterina Alexandrova is in emphatic form right now and her tennis isn’t as hit-or-miss as it used to be in the past. Aside for an upset loss to Irina-Camelia Begu at Roland Garros, it’s been a while since she lost to a player who doesn’t belong among the elite. The Russian is coming off a brilliant week at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, claiming her first grass-court title. If she keeps up that level, there’s not much Maryna Zanevska will be able to do against her.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Garbine Muguruza vs Andrea Petkovic
Head-to-head: Petkovic 3-1
A bit of a throwback as the two faced each other for the first time back in 2012. They’re at different stages of their careers now, but somewhat surprisingly, it’s Andrea Petkovic who’s been more competitive on the WTA Tour this year. When Garbine Muguruza won the year-end championships in Guadalajara last year it seemed like she could keep that form going, but it hasn’t materialized. It will be a first match on grass this year for both, but at home and with the Spaniard’s lack of form, perhaps Petkovic can seek the upset?
Prediction: Petkovic in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
