The remainder of the first round matches will be completed on Tuesday at the WTA 1000 level Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, Ohio. Last week’s Montreal finalists will be back action as Simona Halep faces Anastasia Potapova and Beatriz Haddad Maia takes on Jelena Ostapenko. Meanwhile, second round action commences as Maria Sakkari comes up against Caroline Garcia. Let’s take a closer look at those exciting matchups.
WTA Cincinnati Day 2 Predictions
Sofia Kenin vs Shelby Rogers
H2H: Rogers 1-0.
Sofia Kenin is having a miserable run of form. The American has lost eight consecutive matches dating back to the first tournament of the year in Adelaide in what has been another injury interrupted season for the 2020 Australian Open champion. Conversely, Rogers brings strong form into this clash having reached the final in San Jose a few weeks ago, a run that included wins over Andreescu, Sakkari, Anisimova and Kudermetova. Kenin is the better player, but it’s impossible to pick her with any confidence until she starts to turn things around.
Prediction: Rogers in 3
Jelena Ostapenko vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
H2H: Ostapenko 2-0.
Beatriz Haddad Maia is one of the hottest players on tour right now. The Brazilian has just made her debut in the top 20 thanks to a career best runner-up finish in Montreal last week. It’s been an outstanding season for the Brazilian, she’s showing no signs of stopping. Jelena Ostapenko continues to be hot and cold, who knows what type of level she will bring to the court. I know Haddad Maia will be tough to beat; fatigue is a concern but I think she will be too solid for the Latvian here.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Simona Halep vs Anastasia Potapova
H2H: Halep 2-0.
Simona Halep arrives in Cincinnati on a high, fresh from winning her third National Bank Open title in Montreal. Halep has rocketed back up to number 6 in the world and is once again one of the best players in the world right now. Fatigue is potentially an issue for Halep this week with a quick turnaround from Montreal, but I don’t see that as a big factor in the opening round against Anastasia Potapova. Halep should be too solid in all departments, she won’t need to be at her best in this matchup.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Maria Sakkari vs Caroline Garcia
H2H: Garcia 1-0.
The final match of the day promises to be one of the most intriguing as Maria Sakkari takes on Caroline Garcia. On paper, Sakkari has the edge. However, the Greek’s form hasn’t been convincing of late and she looks vulnerable against an opponent like Garcia. The Frenchwoman is in decent form of late and has a habit of upsetting top seeds at large events. The upset is on the cards here, Garcia has momentum on her side.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
