All the remaining second-round matches will be played on Day 4 of the WTA National Bank Open in Montreal. This article features the #5 seed, Amanda Anisimova, and many other solid players like Emma Raducanu and Elise Mertens. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate, but who will advance?
WTA Montreal Day 4 Predictions
Magda Linette vs Anastasija Sevastova
Head-to-Head: Linette 1-1 Sevastova
Magda Linette has won just one of her last five matches and has never won a match here in Montreal. She needs match wins to get her season back on track, but has to cross a big hurdle in the form of Anastasija Sevastova, who is a former quarterfinalist here and got a solid first-round win against Ajla Tomljanovic. That was Sevastova’s first win outside of clay this season. This should be a competitive match, and despite Linette’s bad form, I give her an edge.
Prediction: Linette in 3
Elise Mertens vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-Head: Mertens 0-2 Kalinskaya
Not everybody can play a final in Washington and then win their first round match in Montreal, but Anna Kalinskaya did. She showed great composure to win the third set after getting bagelled by Ann Li in the first round. However, Kalinskaya must be exhausted, and Elise Mertens is skilled enough to capitalise if the Russian player is not at full strength. Mertens is a former quarterfinalist and has been in good form recently. I am expecting her to defeat Kalinskaya for the first time.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Emma Raducanu vs Peyton Stearns
Head-to-Head: Raducanu 2-0 Stearns
Emma Raducanu had a short turnaround from her semifinal run in Washington last week, but fortunately got a first-round opponent who hit a lot of errors and made life easier for the Brit. Raducanu was far from her best, understandably, and will need to improve against a much tougher second-round opponent. Peyton Stearns has never beaten Raducanu and has a good chance to do so if she plays her best tennis. However, her confidence must have taken a hit after losing to Venus Williams in straight sets and winning just one of her last five matches. If Raducanu is physically fine, she has the edge.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
Amanda Anisimova vs Lulu Sun
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Lulu Sun made a winning debut at the National Bank Open, defeating Sorana Cirstea in straight sets. Sun has shown her potential on this surface, getting wins over Linda Noskova and reaching the final of Monterrey last season, but Amanda Anisimova is a level above. Anisimova has been in excellent form and will seek to put the disappointing Wimbledon final loss behind her by making a statement early on.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
