The legendary ITF location of Monastir has successfully completed its first full round of main tour tennis on the WTA Tour. Home star Ons Jabeur got through the opening round as did six of the other seven seeds. It should be another entertaining day at the WTA Monastir Open on day three and, as always, we here at LWOT are previewing and predicting every match, but who will come out on top?
WTA Monastir Day 3 Predictions
Katerina Siniakova vs Claire Liu
Head-to-head: first meeting
Doubles world #1 Siniakova has found some good form after struggling in the first half of the season. The Czech is coming into this match on a six-match win streak, having beaten Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina to win the title in Portoroz before earning a first-round win over Chloe Paquet at the WTA Monastir Open.
Claire Liu, meanwhile, has had a puzzling past couple of tournaments, taking first-round losses in four of her last five the one time. The one she made it through the first round in was Tokyo though, getting good wins over Alison Riske and Elise Mertens. In the first round here, Liu got a comfortable win over Ana Konjuh. It’s set to be a close contest, but Siniakova’s impressive recent form has to make her the favourite.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
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Diane Parry vs Lucrezia Stefanini
Head-to-head: Parry 1-1 Stefanini
Diane Parry has had a middle-of-the-road season, reaching a couple of main tour semifinals and enjoying a big moment in Paris as she eliminated defending champion Barbora Krejcikova at Roland Garros without ever really finding a consistent level. The 20-year-old eliminated her countrywoman Harmony Tan in the opening round. Lucrezia Stefanini has been solid on the ITF circuit this year with two ITF 60 titles and one ITF 25.
The Italian has an eight-match winning streak and is looking in fine form, winning one of her aforementioned ITF 60s in Caldas da Rainha before coming into Monastir qualifying. Stefanini took out Isabella Shinikova in three sets before allowing the experienced Heather Watson just four games. In the main draw, she was responsible for the only seeded player’s loss in the first round, upsetting Magda Linette 6-4 in the third. Her current form makes Stefanini a slight favourite.
Prediction: Stefanini in 2
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Elise Mertens vs Despina Papamichail
Head-to-head: first meeting
Outside of the Slams, where Elise Mertens reached the second week three times, it’s been a largely disappointing year for the Belgian on the tour. Mertens is looking to reach her first quarterfinal since Strasbourg in May, a quite surprising statistic for a player that has been known for her consistency. The 26-year-old did perform well in the first round though, allowing Jacqueline Cristian just two games.
Despina Papamichail has had a mediocre season on the ITF Tour, currently owning a losing record of 30-32. That said, this week, the Greek has successfully qualified past Ines Ibbou and Kristina Mladenovic before coming back to defeat Zhu Lin 1-6 7-6 6-0 in a see-sawing first-round encounter. Still, despite Mertens’ poor form, the Belgian should show her level here and get the win.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
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Alize Cornet vs Harriet Dart
Head-to-head: first meeting
Despite a 23-22 record, Alize Cornet has had one of the most memorable seasons in her career. The 32-year-old reached her first slam quarterfinal at the Australian Open and ended Iga Swiatek’s 36-match winning streak at Wimbledon. The form has been less stunning at tour events but Cornet looked solid in her opener against Laura Pigossi. Despite going 25-25 on the year, Dart has also had some nice highlights for herself in 2022, reaching the fourth round as a qualifier in Indian Wells and a quarterfinal in Eastbourne. The Brit looked good in the first round, beating Nuria Parrizas-Diaz 6-2 6-4. This should be an interesting match-up but Cornet should just about have the edge.
Prediction: Cornet in 3
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