It promises to be a great first day of WTA Washington action. Although four players withdrew from the event, the draw is still very strong. 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu is among the women set to feature on Day 1. We at LWOT predict all the matches here and in a separate article, including Sloane Stephens vs Amanda Anisimova. Which players do you think will progress to the next round in the US capital?
WTA Washington Day 1 Predictions
Karolina Pliskova vs Wang Yafan
Head-to-head: Pliskova 1-0 Wang
After a surge in February that saw her win the title in Cluj-Napoca and get to the semifinal of the WTA 1000 tournament in Doha, Pliskova has returned to the struggles that have plagued her in the last two years. Nonetheless, this is a good first-round draw for the Czech. 30-year-old Wang has never thrived during the North American hard court season, and it seems unlikely that will suddenly change. Pliskova to prevail in straight sets.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Lesia Tsurenko vs Caroline Dolehide
Head-to-head: Tsurenko 1-0 Dolehide
Dolehide has mostly struggled to push on since her shock run to the Guadalajara Open final last year, although she did reach the third-round in Indian Wells and Madrid. Tsurenko managed wins against Ons Jabeur and Wimbledon semifinalist Donna Vekic this year, but her form this year has also been patchy. This is a tough one to call, but Dolehide prefers playing in fast conditions, as she proved in Guadalajara. The courts in Washington are among the quickest on the tennis calendar, and that could make the difference.
Prediction: Dolehide in 3
Emma Raducanu vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: Raducanu 1-0 Mertens
Raducanu hammered Mertens a few weeks ago at Wimbledon. I think the conditions will help the Briton triumph against the experienced Belgian once again. Mertens’ best chance of beating Raducanu would be on clay or on a slow hard court, where her ability to put balls back into play is more effective. Her 21-year-old opponent strikes the ball more cleanly, and that greater ability to hit winners gives her the edge on the fast Washington courts.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
