With Budapest underway, we have plunged into the post-Wimbledon clay swing, where many players can earn points to bank for the next year while most of the tour rests. As always, we here at LWOT will preview and predict every match. Who do you think will win?
WTA Budapest Day 3 Predictions
Kaja Juvan vs Astra Sharma
Head-t0-head: Juvan 1-0 Sharma
After a tough year on tour, 22-year-old Kaja Juvan finally found some form at Wimbledon, qualifying to reach the second round. The Slovene has managed to do the same in Budapest, beating Kristina Kucova in the first round. Sharma, also a qualifier, has been on a roll recently, reaching finals at a W40 in Ystad and a W60 in Montpellier. The Australian has brought her good form to Budapest, dropping just five games in qualifying before beating Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3 6-3. Juvan allowed Sharma just one game in the first meeting in Bol four years ago but on current form, I see the Australian taking this.
Prediction: Sharma in 3
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Anna Karolina Schmiedlova vs Tamara Korpatsch
Head-t0-head: Schmiedlova 2-2 Korpatsch
After making the fourth round at Roland Garros, Schmiedlova was unsurprisingly winless on grass but the Slovak is back to her winning ways on clay, allowing Polina Kudermetova just two games. Korpatsch has had a bad year but managed to reach the second round as a lucky loser at Wimbledon. The German then lost the first round at Contrexeville but got her first Budapest win since 2017 over Valentini Grammatikopolou. The two have split their four previous meetings equally so this match could truly go either way. On clay form, I am taking Schmiedlova here.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 2
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Tatjana Maria vs Fanny Stollar
Head-t0-head: Maria 1-0 Stollar
Maria broke a four-match losing streak but had a tough time against No. 185 Carole Monnet. Stollar was a big talent once upon a time but now at 24, finds herself outside of the Top 400. The Hungarian does have a decent chance here though with Maria’s recent struggles and with the crowd behind her, I will be picking the upset here.
Prediction: Stollar in 3
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Yulia Putintseva vs Claire Liu
Head-t0-head: Putintseva 2-0 Liu
Putintseva is facing off with Liu for the third time this year already, winning 6-2 6-4 in Hobart and 6-4 6-4 in Madrid, both in the first round. The Kazakh is the superior red clay player and has been in decent form, pushing Beatriz Haddad Maia in her Wimbledon first-round loss before making the semifinals of Bastad. Putintseva had a funky start to Budapest, losing her first set 6-1 to Kateryna Volodko before turning it around to win 1-6 6-2 6-1. Liu avenged her loss to Louisa Chirico from last week, winning 6-4 6-4 in the first round. Putintseva is a solid favorite here.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
