Six WTA Eastbourne matches will be played on Day 1. Defending champion Daria Kasatkina faces a tricky start to her title defense against last year’s Wimbledon quarterfinalist Lulu Sun. We at LWOT split the six contests between two pieces. Ons Jabeur vs Maya Joint is featured in our second article.
WTA Eastbourne Day 1 Predictions
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Viktoriya Tomova
Head-to-head: Tomova 1-0 Pavlyuchenkova
This will be Pavlyuchenkova’s first match of 2025 on grass, which is usually her weakest surface. Tomova failed to win a main draw match in Berlin and ‘s-Hertogenbosch. But Pavlyuchenkova often takes time to adjust to a surface change, especially from clay to grass. A wayward opening match of the grass-court swing from her would not be surprising. Tomova also reached last year’s Bad Homburg Open semifinals, showing what she is capable of on the surface.
Prediction: Tomova in 3
Alexandra Eala vs Lucia Bronzetti
Head-to-head: First meeting
Eala had already played in three grass-court tournaments before Eastbourne, two of them below WTA 250 level. She defeated the No. 1 seed Hailey Baptiste in the final qualifying round to set up this meeting. Bronzetti’s sole match on grass was a comprehensive loss against Antonia Ruzic in the opening round of last week’s Nottingham Open. Although the 20-year-old Eala’s level can fluctuate, her greater sharpness on grass might prove decisive. The Filipina’s variety also suits the surface well.
Prediction: Eala in 2
Daria Kasatkina vs Lulu Sun
Head-to-head: First meeting
Kasatkina, usually a consistently strong player on grass, has made a poor start to this year’s swing. She lost in the opening round at the Queen’s Club Championships and the Berlin Open. Sun has only done marginally better, managing one victory against a wild card in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Kasatkina’s defensive skills and her backhand in cross-court rallies are capable of dealing with Sun’s powerful forehand if she is playing well. Despite her consecutive losses, I still trust Kasatkina’s level more consistently in this matchup.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
