Six interesting WTA Monterrey matches are scheduled for Day 1. Elina Avanesyan, who defeated the 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and 2019 US Open winner Bianca Andreescu at the Cincinnati Open last week, is among the players set to be in action. We at LWOT predict all the contests here and in a separate article, including Ajla Tomljanovic vs Camila Osorio.
WTA Monterrey Day 1 Predictions
Anhelina Kalinina vs Erika Andreeva
Head-to-head: Kalinina 1-0 Andreeva
Last week, Kalinina was comprehensively beaten by the 2018 Australian Open champion, Caroline Wozniacki, in Cincinnati. Andreeva is not as adept at redirecting pace as the Dane and prefers to dictate the rallies. That style should help Kalinina, who is a slightly cleaner ball striker than the 20-year-old at her best. Andreeva is still a talented player, though, and can overcome the Ukrainian if her level drops.
Prediction: Kalinina in 3
Lulu Sun vs Chloe Paquet
Head-to-head: First meeting
Paquet failed to qualify for the main draw at the National Bank Open or the Cincinnati Open. However, she still reached a career-high ranking earlier this month after the best season of her career. Wimbledon quarterfinalist Sun looked strong in Cincinnati despite losing to Marta Kostyuk in the second round. The New Zealander’s firepower makes her the favorite against Paquet, who sometimes struggles when rushed from the baseline.
Prediction: Sun in 2
Elisabetta Cocciaretto vs Elina Avanesyan
Head-to-head: Cocciaretto 2-0 Avanesyan
Avanesyan’s run to the third round in Cincinnati by beating Andreescu and Ostapenko was the most impressive of her career on a hard court. Nonetheless, I still think Cocciaretto is likely to defeat her in Monterrey. The Italian won their two previous meetings on clay, the surface on which Avanesyan has had her most success. If Cocciaretto was able to hit through Avanesyan’s gritty style on clay, she is even more likely to do it on a hard court.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
