The line-up for the second day of main draw action at the 2023 WTA Rothesay International in Eastbourne looks incredibly stacked. Two WTA Tour events were held last week, claimed by Petra Kvitova (Berlin), and Jelena Ostapenko (Birmingham). These two will now meet in the opening round at Eastbourne and it should be a classic. We also look at the rest of the day’s matches, split between two articles. One features Coco Gauff vs Bernarda Pera, and the second features Jessica Pegula vs Qinwen Zheng. Who do you think will come out on top?
WTA Eastbourne Day 2 Predictions
Jasmine Paolini vs Ons Jabeur
Head-to-head: Jabeur 1-0
Jasmine Paolini is not to be overlooked, especially with the sort of pocket rocket feel to her game in quicker conditions. Ons Jabeur also lost her grass opener to Jule Niemeier in Berlin last week, although it feels like her next opponent doesn’t present that same sort of danger. A runner-up at Wimbledon last year, Jabeur needs to get some form going and should be able to work her magic here in the end.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Madison Brengle vs Caroline Garcia
Head-to-head: Garcia 4-1
Madison Brengle knows how to make her opponents uncomfortable, but her repertoire is also really limited. Against Caroline Garcia, she’ll probably be forced to the background and serve as a bit of an extra while the Frenchwoman tries to blow her off the court. At this stage of her career, Brengle probably can’t do enough to throw Garcia off and disrupt her rhythm, so it’s really all on the second seed’s racket.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
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Petra Kvitova vs Jelena Ostapenko
Head-to-head: Kvitova 6-4
Pretty fascinating that the two winners from last week are meeting in Round 1 here. Petra Kvitova claimed the title in Berlin, while Jelena Ostapenko was crowned the champion in Birmingham. It’s such a fun rivalry with both players having an extremely high upside. Kvitova won their last grass meeting in the final of this very event in 2022 and just seems a bit more steady at the moment.
Prediction: Kvitova in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
