The WTA Tour heads to Bogota, Columbia, for a clay-court 250-level event. This tournament is one of the official kickoffs of the 2023 clay-court season as players look to adapt to the surface after playing most of the first three months of the year on hard courts. The capital of Columbia welcomes a 32-woman draw competing for its title. On Day 1, Spaniard Nuria Parrizas Diaz takes on Francesca Jones. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings around the clay courts of Bogota. But who will advance?
WTA Bogota Day 1 Predictions
Carol Zhao vs Maria Carle
Head-to-Head: Zhao 1-0 Carle
Carol Zhao and Maria Carle are slated to square off in the first round in Bogota. Zhao won their only previous meeting, 6-0 4-6 6-2, in 2021. Both players are currently ranked outside the top 150, and a win in this WTA event could go a long way toward improving their ranking. Carle has been a much better player this season and has had better career success on the clay. The 23-year-old Argentine should be able to wear down Zhao with her consistency.
Prediction: Carle in 2
Marina Bassols Ribera vs Natalija Stevanovic
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Marina Bassols Ribera is just 1-6 in her last seven matches and has struggled in Tour-level events. She squares off against qualifier Natalija Stevanovic in the first round in Bogota. Stevanovic had won just one match this season before her trip to Bogota. The Spaniard is ranked 100 spots higher than her opponent and will show that gap on Monday. I expect Bassols Ribera to control this match from start to finish.
Prediction: Bassols Ribera in 2
Nuria Parrizas Diaz vs Francesca Jones
Head-to-Head: Parrizas-Diaz 0-1 Jones
No. 3 seed Nuria Parrizas Diaz is one of the favorites to win this event. She will take on young Brit Francesca Jones in Round 1. Jones, who played just two matches in 2022, is still looking to find some form this season. She strung together five wins during two events in Tucuman in February and has seemingly turned a corner. That said, Jones has not faced a player ranked as high as Parrizas Diaz in nearly two years. I believe the Spaniard’s consistency and power from the baseline will prove too much for Jones.
Prediction: Parrizas Diaz in 2
Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
