There are many exciting matches scheduled on day 2 of WTA Seoul. This article predicts the outcome of four of those contests, with the second seed Jelena Ostapenko one of the players featuring. We at LWOT have a separate article predicting the rest of the day’s matches in Seoul- including Jessica Pegula vs Viktoria Hruncakova. But which players do you think will advance to the next round?
WTA Seoul Day 2 Predictions
Nadia Podoroska vs Ashlyn Krueger
Head-to-head: First meeting
Podoroska has been a clay-court specialist throughout her career. Yet she had a surprise run to the semifinal at her last tournament in Ningbo, and also took eventual champion Ons Jabeur to three sets. Krueger caused an even bigger shock by winning the Japan Women’s Open a few weeks ago. She has not won a main draw match since, but I think the American has the edge here. Krueger has a big-hitting style, which is capable of disrupting Podoroska, who prefers to have time on her strokes. That extra firepower is likely to be decisive in this clash.
Prediction: Krueger in 2
Kimberly Birrell vs Sachia Vickery
Head-to-head: Birrell 1-0 Vickery
This is a great opportunity for both players to get a WTA main draw win. Neither woman is currently ranked inside the Top 100, although Birrell is 42 places higher in the rankings. The Australian is also just two places below her career-high ranking of #100, while Vickery is far below her career-best of #73. However, Vickery has had some recent form. The American reached the second round at the US Open, and then also won a round in Guadalajara. Vickery does possess a powerful game when it clicks. Her playing style may just have the advantage in the conditions in this WTA Seoul encounter.
Prediction: Vickery in 3
Jang Su-jeong vs Sofia Kenin
Head-to-head: Su-jeong 1-0 Kenin
It may be a surprise to many that Kenin has lost her only previous match against her much lower-ranked opponent. But that match was on the Challenger Circuit back in 2018 when Kenin was not the player she is now. The 2020 Australian Open champion has made huge progress this season after a difficult few years, although she did have a setback in a heavy loss to Aryna Sabalenka in the first round in Beijing. Nonetheless, Kenin is unlikely to face many problems here. She faces an opponent who will have a home crowd behind her in Seoul, but the world #162 is very unlikely to cause an upset.
Prediction: Kenin in 2
Jelena Ostapenko vs Back Da-yeon
Head-to-head: First meeting
Ostapenko’s performance in her quarterfinal last week in Beijing against Liudmila Samsonova was underwhelming, but reaching that stage was still an impressive effort. The former French Open champion is a huge favourite against an opponent ranked #569. Yet the Latvian needs to avoid any complacency here. Her Korean opponent has reached three consecutive finals on the ITF Circuit, winning the title in two of them. This has led to a sudden rise in the rankings. Ostapenko is very likely to progress, but should still be slightly wary of an opponent with momentum becoming inspired in front of her home crowd.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
