It promises to be an entertaining second day at the WTA Guadalajara Open, the final 1000-level event of the season, with 16 matches on the slate in Mexico. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Anna Kalinskaya vs Barbora Krejcikova, Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Sakkari and Elena Rybakina vs Karolina Pliskova. But who will book their place in the next round?
WTA Guadalajara Day 2 Predictions
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Katerina Siniakova
Head-to-head: first meeting
It has been a superb season for Beatriz Haddad Maia, with the Brazilian climbing from outside the top 80 at the end of last year to a career-high world #15 in August. She has slipped slightly since, currently occupying the 18th spot in the rankings, but remains in good position to finish the season inside the top 20. Still, after losing three straight quarterfinals, she will be desperate to put together a deep run this week in Mexico, especially as she still has an outside chance of reaching the WTA Finals.
This will be a tough match for her, however, with Katerina Siniakova a potentially dangerous opponent. The Czech is rather more effective on the doubles court, but her net-rushing style and powerful groundstrokes should suit the conditions in Guadalajara. Still, if Haddad Maia plays her best tennis, or at least something close to it, expect her to have enough to book her spot in the second round at the WTA Guadalajara Open.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
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Magda Linette vs Madison Keys
Head-to-head: first meeting
At her best, Madison Keys would almost certainly be winning this match. The American has enough power to hit through Magda Linette and still have plenty to spare. But it is increasingly rare for Keys to find her best tennis, with consistent injury problems denying her the chance to build up any real rhythm. For a player so reliant on a first-strike brand of tennis, that has almost entirely derailed a career that once looked certain to involve Grand Slam glory.
That said, she did play some solid tennis last-time out in San Diego, reaching the quarterfinals with comprehensive straight-sets wins over Ellen Perez and Daria Kasatkina before running out of steam against Jessica Pegula in the last eight. Linette, meanwhile, played well to come through the qualifying in Guadalajara, but has otherwise been indifferent form in recent weeks, with only a handful of wins to her name since a run to the third round at Wimbledon. Expect Keys to have the edge here.
Prediction: Keys in 2
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Donna Vekic vs Laura Pigossi
Head-to-head: Vekic 1-0 Pigossi
Donna Vekic looked to be back to something approaching her best in San Diego, reaching her first final of the season in California as a qualifier. Her run included a marathon win over Danielle Collins in the semifinals which served as a timely reminder of the Croatian’s qualities. That clearly took a toll on her in the final, which she lost 3-6 6-3 0-6 to Iga Swiatek, but her efforts have surely gone a long way to rebuilding her confidence in her ability to compete at the highest level.
She must now try to ensure that she maintains that level consistently, or at least more consistently than she has been able to lately. At any rate, this is certainly a match that a player of her quality should be winning. Laura Pigossi played well in the first round of qualifying to beat Varvara Flink, but was then well-beaten in the final round by Asia Muhammad and is outgunned in this matchup. It may be more competitive than their only previous meeting six years ago, but expect Vekic to win again.
Prediction: Vekic in 2
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Rebecca Marino vs Caroline Garcia
Head-to-head: Marino 1-0 Garcia
Caroline Garcia looked to be back to her very best on the North American hard courts this summer, winning surely the biggest title of her career (in singles) in Cincinnati before reaching the semifinals at the US Open. However, she won just four games against Ons Jabeur in that semifinal and has since lost in her opener in both Tokyo and in San Diego. She also lost in her only previous meeting with Rebecca Marino. That said, that match was played 12 years ago.
It would be a real surprise if the Canadian was able to make it two wins from two against Garcia. Marino is having a fine week after coming through the qualifying without dropping a set before dispatching Ann Li 6-2 7-6, but Garcia represents a real step up in the quality of opposition. Crucially, the Frenchwoman has the variety to keep Marino off-balance and on the move. With Garcia, there is no such thing as a sure thing, but this is pretty close.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
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