Day 1 in Monterrey saw last year\u2019s finalist, Timea Babos, lose to Ivana Jorovic in three sets. Will the defending champion, Garbine Muguruza, suffer the same fate today against Elena Gabriela Ruse? How about World No.5 Angelique Kerber, when she takes on Kristina Kucova? Read on to find out!<\/p>\n
Head to Head: Never Played<\/strong><\/p>\n This all-Russian matchup will feature World No. 33 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova taking on World No. 117 Anna Blinkova. These two players have never squared off before. Both players are very good from the baseline, and this match could come down who can win the long rallies. In terms of experience, Pavlyuchenkova comes through in that department, as she has been on the tour many more years than the 20-year-old Blinkova.<\/p>\n While Pavlyuchenkova started off the year well, coming within one set of the Australian Open<\/a> semifinals, she has really stagnated lately, losing the last three matches she played, including both matches during the Sunshine Double tournaments. Blinkova has picked up a good number of wins, but not a ton beyond the qualifying level. She has lost three of her last four matches, including in Miami qualifying, but in those three losses, they have all gone three sets. With both players perhaps a little lower in confidence, expect a tight battle with the more experienced player, Pavlyuchenkova, coming through.<\/p>\n Prediction : Pavlyuchenkova in 3<\/em><\/p>\n