After Jule Niemeier defeated Sofia Kenin in Monday’s only main draw match, WTA Linz really gets going on Day 2 with 11 matches on the schedule. As always, we here at LWOT will preview and predict every match. We split the rest of the day’s matches between two other articles. One features Maria Sakkari vs Nuria Parrizas Diaz, and the other headlines Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Rebeka Masarova. Who do you think will win?
WTA Linz Day 2 Predictions
Camila Giorgi vs Jaqueline Cristian
Head-to-head: first meeting
Giorgi, a champion in Linz in 2018 and before that a finalist in 2014, continues her odd season as it has been alleged she used a false Covid vaccine certificate in order to play the 2022 Australian Open. The Italian has denied those allegations and actually performed decently in Melbourne this year, reaching the third round. Last week was puzzling though, as Giorgi won just four games against Katie Swan in Lyon qualifying. Cristian, who reached the final in Linz in 2021 as a lucky loser, has struggled over the past two seasons and is on the edge of the Top 200. The Romanian went 1-3 in Australia and last week she lost in the quarterfinals of an ITF 40. It’s a Giorgi match so anything could happen but the Italian should win here.
Prediction: Giorgi in 2
Anastasia Potapova vs Lucia Bronzetti
Head-to-head: Potapova 1-0 Bronzetti
Potapova is 5-5 on the year, winning at least a match in each of her tournaments this year and finally got back-to-back wins last week in Lyon as she reached the quarterfinals. Bronzetti banked some wins over lower-ranked opponents at the United Cup but is yet to beat a Top 100 opponent this year. Potapova won their only previous meeting last year on clay in Lausanne and the indoor hard should suit her even more.
Prediction: Potapova in 2
Linda Noskova vs Alison van Uytvanck
Head-to-head: first meeting
Noskova has been a breakout star this year, somewhat overshadowing her peer and namesake Linda Fruhvirtova as the premier Czech talent at this moment. The 18-year-old, who broke the Top 50 for the first time on Monday, took out Ons Jabeur, Victoria Azarenka, and Daria Kasatkina en route to an Adelaide final to start the season. Noskova paid the price in Melbourne qualifying but looked back in decent form last week in Lyon, beating Garbine Muguruza and reaching the quarterfinals. She will face a tough test in van Uytvanck though. The Belgian is still very dangerous on fast surfaces with a career 137-56 record on indoor hard courts. Last week, van Uytvanck beat Tamara Korpatsch before going a set up on Caroline Garcia in Lyon. I am really looking forward to this match and believe Noskova will take the win here.
Prediction: Noskova in 3
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