The remaining round of 32 matches are completed on Day 2 of the WTA Merida Open. 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens is among those who will take to the court in Mexico. We predict all the matches here and in a separate article, including Maria Sakkari vs Zeynep Sonmez.
WTA Merida Day 2 Predictions
Francesca Jones vs Mayar Sherif
Head-to-head: Sherif 1-0 Jones
Jones prepared well for the tournament in Merida with a run to the semifinal of the WTA 125 tournament in Cancun. This is as good a draw as she could have hoped for on paper. Sherif is a clay court specialist, has not won a match this season, and last played over three weeks ago. The slow conditions give the Egyptian some hope, but Jones remains the favorite to progress.
Prediction: Jones in 2
Magda Linette vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Head-to-head: Linette 1-1 Cocciaretto
Linette performed solidly during the Middle Eastern swing, while Cocciaretto has not played since the WTA 250 tournament in Cluj-Napoca a few weeks ago. Cocciaretto is the cleaner hitter but can only make that count if she dominates with her forehand. Linette’s backhand and defensive skills are superior to the Italian’s. This could be a tight battle, but Linette is narrowly favored to thrive more on the slow hard courts in Merida.
Prediction: Linette in 3
Jaqueline Cristian vs Camila Osorio
Head-to-head: Cristian 1-0 Osorio
These women usually produce their best on clay but have improved on hard courts. Cristian will almost certainly be the aggressor in this match with her forehand. However, Osorio, a great athlete and competitor, will be hard to get the ball past on the sluggish courts. This match also has the potential to be a lengthy and close battle. Overall, Osorio’s level can be trusted more than Cristian’s.
Prediction: Osorio in 3
Sloane Stephens vs Petra Martic
Head-to-head: Stephens 3-0 Martic
The last ten months have been the most challenging of Stephens’ career. Since going on a seven-match winning streak at the Rouen Open and Madrid Open in April, the 2018 French Open runner-up has only won twice since and sits outside the Top 100. She has dominated Martic with her superior athleticism and forehand in their previous matchups. It is impossible to back Stephens with any uncertainty, but this represents a great opportunity for her to get a first win since last year’s Wimbledon.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
