After an opening day that included the singles return of Venus Williams, the rest of the first-round action at the WTA Citi Open in Washington, D.C. is set to be played. Some big names are set to begin their Citi Open campaigns, such as Victoria Azarenka, Sloane Stephens, and Emma Raducanu. As always, we here at LWOT will preview and predict every match–four matches in this article, and four in a separate article. Who do you think will win?
WTA Washington Day 2 Predictions
Sofia Kenin vs Camila Osorio
Head-to-head: first meeting
It has been a horrible couple of seasons for Kenin, the former No. 4 now dropping outside of the Top 400. The 24-year-old has not played since Indian Wells and has not won a match since the first week of the season. It is impossible to predict what level Kenin will be able to produce in her first match back from injury but she does get an acceptable draw in Osorio. The Colombian reached the final of Monterrey in March but has struggled since, currently on a five-match losing streak. Neither player is particularly convincing and I would not be confident picking either one of them but I will go with Kenin to make a winning return here.
Prediction: Kenin in 2
Madison Brengle vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-head: Kalinskaya 2-0 Brengle
An interesting match-up here. Brengle never really got going on grass this season, carrying a five-match losing streak into the U.S. hard-court swing. Kalinskaya had a good spring in North America, reaching the semifinals of Guadalajara and third round out of qualifying at both Indian Wells and Miami. The Russian has struggled with fitness throughout the year with two of those biggest runs ended by injury. The last couple of months have not been great for Kalinskaya but she will look to recapture her form on hard. She has two victories over Brengle in their previous matches, yet to drop a set. This seems like a perfect opportunity for Kalinskaya to give her season a jolt.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
Wang Xinyu vs Tereza Martincova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Wang has largely struggled this year outside of her title run in La Bisbal, only winning back-to-back matches at one other tournament this season. Martincova has gone 11-17 in 2022, not having the best transition to the main tour. The Czech did have a high point, reaching the semifinals in Nottingham but has lost all five matches she played since, including to Chloe Paquet last week in Prague, failing to defend a final. Neither player has been up to much in terms of form recently but I will go with Martincova as she had a decent time on the U.S. hard courts last year.
Prediction: Martincova in 3
Emma Raducanu vs Louisa Chirico
Head-to-head: first meeting
Second seed Raducanu is set to make her grand American return after bursting onto the scene with one of the most surprising Slam-winning runs ever at last year’s US Open. The Brit has broken the Top 10 in rankings but has not really had the best time on the court in the past 11 months, earning an 11-15 record with coaching drama surrounding her. Facing Raducanu will be qualifier Chirico, who managed to qualify for Wimbledon earlier in the season. This week, the American earned two three-set wins over Yuan Yue and Wang Xiyu to reach the main draw. Raducanu should make a winning return to the U.S., hopefully setting herself up for a successful hard-court season, otherwise, she will suffer a severe ranking drop.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
