The stage is set for the remaining five second-round singles matches at the 2023 WTA Linz Open. Three seeded players will be in action on Thursday trying to make it to the quarterfinals and, as always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule. But who will reach the last eight?
WTA Linz Day 4 Predictions
Dalma Galfi vs Eva Lys
Head-to-head: first meeting
This could be a breakout event for Eva Lys if she can keep this run going. The 21-year-old has a fantastic indoor record of 30-12 in her professional career and that’s despite the serve being her main weakness. Will Dalma Galfi punish that? She could, but as she’s not that comfortable with such conditions herself, this really could be a perfect opportunity for the up-and-coming youngster to establish herself on the big stage.
Prediction: Lys in 3
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Anna-Lena Friedsam vs Anhelina Kalinina
Head-to-head: Friedsam 1-1 Kalinina
Anna-Lena Friedsam surprised Anhelina Kalinina in Angers just two months ago, upsetting her in the semifinal of a WTA 125K event. The German took that match 7-6 6-3 and went on to narrowly lose to Alycia Parks, whom the Ukrainian has just defeated in Linz. Even though Friedsam took their last meeting, Kalinina still deserves to be the favorite of this clash and with her skills of absorbing pace, she’ll make herself very tough for the 29-year-old to hit through.
Prediction: Kalinina in 3
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Madison Brengle vs Donna Vekic
Head-to-head: Brengle 1-0 Vekic
Madison Brengle gave Donna Vekic just four games in Charleston 2015. The Croat was just 18 years old then and this time, she’s the one who’s coming into their match as a big favorite. Vekic seems to have finally found her footing after a number of injuries seriously derailed her career. She was just into the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and shouldn’t struggle too much here, especially as the conditions suit her a lot more than they do Brengle.
Prediction: Vekic in 2
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Clara Tauson vs Camila Giorgi
Head-to-head: Tauson 1-0 Giorgi
It’s very hard to know what to expect from either player here. Camila Giorgi took just four games off Katie Swan in Lyon last week, but looked a lot more solid in her win over Jacqueline Adina Cristian here. Meanwhile, Clara Tauson lost in the qualifying here, before going on to beat Irina-Camelia Begu with the same scoreline the Italian had in her first match (6-1 6-2). The Dane generally fares better indoors, so she should have a slight edge.
Prediction: Tauson in 3
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Alison Van Uytvanck vs Petra Martic
Head-to-head: Martic 2-0 Van Uytvanck
Petra Martic owns a 2-0 head-to-head lead over Alison Van Uytvanck, but they’ve never played indoors before. The Belgian usually excels in such conditions and owns an incredible 71% (137-56) win rate under a roof over the course of her career. She proved it again in the opening round here when she defeated the young talent Linda Noskova. This definitely isn’t easy though as Martic is very skilled and will try everything to break her opponent’s rhythm.
Prediction: Van Uytvanck in 3
Main photo credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
