Second round action at the WTA Cincinnati Open features Spain’s Paula Badosa and American fan favorite Coco Gauff, we have predictions for every match from this key hard court warm up event for the US Open.
Paula Badosa vs Anna Kalinskaya
Badosa was the winner of the Washington DC tournament, 23-14 with her first title in two years on the books, she is finding some great form right now. Kalinskaya is in career best form as well and this should be a great match, 26-14 on the season and twice a WTA finalist, she is now a top 20 player and nearing the top 15. This is a cracking clash, Kalinskaya has been a little better this season and should have an edge on this surface. Kalinskaya in 2
Coco Gauff vs Yulia Putintseva
38-13 on the season, world #2 Gauff is one of the favorites to lift any trophy at a North American tournament. Putintseva is a fantastic 27-13 and won a title on grass this year, but this is Gauff’s crowd, and her surface, Putintseva’s game is disruptive but I don’t see her winning. Gauff in 3
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Elina Avanesyan vs Jelena Ostapenko
Ostapenko won their only meeting, she has recovered her ranking to nearly return to the top 10, 29-15 on the season with a pair of WTA titles, this is an intimidating player at the moment. Russia’s Avanesyan is near a career high ranking but sits far back from Ostapenko’s achievements, 19-15 on the season and in this draw as a lucky loser this is where her road should end.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
