The remaining two Round of 32 matches and the first four Round of 16 battles are scheduled for Day 3 of the WTA Bad Homburg Open. Paula Badosa faces a difficult match against Jule Niemeier, who upset the No. 1 seed Maria Sakkari in the opening Round. As always, we at LWOT predict all the matches taking place, including Liudmila Samsonova vs Katerina Siniakova. Who do you think will triumph on Day 3?
WTA Bad Homburg Day 3 Predictions
Peyton Stearns vs Yulia Putintseva
Head-to-head: First meeting
Some may have expected Putintseva to be one of the four players to withdraw from the WTA Bad Homburg Open, since this match takes place just two days after her run to the title in Birmingham. However, the Kazakhstani has elected to try and build on that momentum in Eastbourne. Overall, she is the favourite to continue her winning run. Putintseva is a very fit player, meaning she is likely to be physically ready for this contest. She also possesses an ideal style to disrupt the big-hitting Stearns. Putintseva’s athleticism and variety to take her into the Round of 16.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Donna Vekic
Head-to-head: Alexandrova 3-2 Vekic
Alexandrova has already beaten Vekic twice this year in Linz and Miami. The Russian is also having a solid season on grass, with a semifinal run in ‘S-Hertogenbosch and a Round of 16 appearance in Berlin, where she lost to the US Open champion Coco Gauff. Vekic has a mixed 2-2 win/loss record on grass so far this year. This could be tight, but Alexandrova is backed to get another win against the Croat. At her best, the Russian’s big serve and very flat shots are perfectly suited to grass and that will be tough for Vekic to handle.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Paula Badosa vs Jule Niemeier
Head-to-head: First meeting
Niemeier’s deciding set tiebreak victory in the previous round against Sakkari was the most dramatic of the tournament so far, while Badosa eased past Arantxa Rus in straight sets. Rus is not comfortable on grass, meaning the Spaniard’s triumph was expected. 2022 Wimbledon quarterfinalist Niemeier will be much tougher to beat in front of her home fans after overcoming Sakkari. Admittedly, the German is very inconsistent. But if she becomes inspired again, it will be a challenge for Badosa to keep up. Niemeier to win another tight and dramatic match.
Prediction: Niemeier in 3
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
