The Slovenia Open returned to the WTA Tour last year for the first time since 2010 and it’s great to see it as a permanent fixture on the calendar. It’s a solid line-up for Tuesday as the first-round will be almost wrapped-up. Can Ajla Tomljanovic keep up her recent form? We also predict the rest of the day’s matches, split between two other articles. One features Elena Rybakina vs Laura Siegemund and the other featuring Alize Cornet vs Kaja Juvan. Who do you think will make it to the next stage of the tournament?
WTA Slovenia Open Day 2 Predictions
Stefanie Voegele vs Tereza Martincova
Head-to-head: Martincova 2-1
Stefanie Voegele lost to Jodie Anna Burrage in the final qualifying round, but she’s here courtesy of a lucky loser spot. The 32-year-old seems quite far off her best though and has been picking up many first-round exits of late. Tereza Martincova should be able to overwhelm her and not give her much freedom to execute her game. Let’s see if the former World No. 42 still has it in her.
Prediction: Martincova in 2
Elizabeth Mandlik vs Anna-Lena Friedsam
Head-to-head: First meeting
Whether Elizabeth Mandlik will be able to translate her game from the American hard courts to Europe is a question we’re dying to get an answer to. The American hasn’t even played a single match on that continent this year and barely a few events in her career. But the talent is there and she shouldn’t struggle with this transition too much. Anna-Lena Friedsam is a smart veteran who won’t give her this one for free.
Prediction: Mandlik in 3
Jodie Anna Burrage vs Alexandra Krunic
Head-to-head: First meeting
Alexandra Krunic is a way more experienced player and can be very crafty on the court if she has enough time. Jodie Anna Burrage isn’t exactly going to put her under that much pressure, but she’s improving and won’t go away easily. Especially as after two solid performances in the qualifying, the Brit will already be very familiar with the conditions in Portoroz. That could give her the edge.
Prediction: Burrage in 3
Ajla Tomljanovic vs Ana Bogdan
Head-to-head: Bogdan 1-0
Ajla Tomljanovic was in ecstatic form in the last few weeks of the North American hard court season. The 29-year-old made consecutive quarterfinals in Cincinnati and New York, but will have a pretty short turnaround here. If she plays as well as she’s been recently, Ana Bogdan is an opponent she should be able to handle. Especially as it feels like the Romanian has been a much more significant threat on clay of late.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
