After a chaotic first week of the grass-court season now comes the bigger week two with two ATP 500s and a WTA 500 in Berlin. WTA Birmingham is the only 250 but still attracts an exciting and competitive field. As always, we here at LWOT will preview and predict every match. Who do you think will win?
WTA Birmingham Day 1 Predictions
Magda Linette vs Jasmine Paolini
Head-to-head: first meeting
Since the Australian Open semifinal run, Linette has largely struggled and continued to do so last week in Nottingham. The Pole beat Olivia Gadecki but lost to eventual finalist Jodie Burrage in the second round. Despite a couple of Wimbledon third rounds and ITF finals on grass, Linette still has a losing record on the surface. She will still be a favorite against Paolini though. The Italian is coming off of a WTA 125 final in Makarska and is a strong clay courter but has not won on grass since 2017.
Prediction: Linette in 2
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Lauren Davis vs Catherine McNally
Head-to-head: first meeting
Davis started the year with a bang, winning her second WTA title in Hobart aged 29, but retired from her most recent match at the French Open. McNally missed the Paris WTA 125 final and the French Open but made a winning start to grass, allowing Katie Volynets just three games before losing to 17-year-old Celine Naef. McNally’s game is suited well to the surface, a 22-10 record over the course of her career so far and with question marks around Davis, the favorite is clear.
Prediction: McNally in 2
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Elina Svitolina vs Linda Fruhvirtova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Svitolina’s comeback has gone great, the Ukrainian taking some time to play herself into form but then winning Strasbourg and reaching the French Open quarterfinals. Grass is a different beast though, one Svitolina’s game was not suited to even at her best despite her 2019 Wimbledon semifinal run. Fruhvirtova did have decent junior results on grass in 2021, winning J1 Roehampton and making the semifinals of Wimbledon. The Czech is still very green though and has lost her last four matches, so I will lean toward Svitolina here.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
