The countdown to Wimbledon continues with the WTA “warm-up” in Nottingham as we prepare for the big one. All the matches on Day 1 in Nottingham are between players meeting for the first time, adding uncertainty to the outcome. However, we still offer our predictions on who will make it to the next round.<\/p>\n
Head\u2013to\u2013Head:<\/strong> First Meeting<\/p>\n Yulia Putintseva will leverage her experience to overcome the emerging British talent, Hannah Klugman. The Ukrainian player is 14 years older than the young Brit, who has played most of her tennis at the ITF level.<\/p>\n Putintseva secured the title in Birmingham last year and has strong grass-court credentials.<\/p>\n Klugman recently became the first British player in 49 years to reach the junior finals at the French Open<\/a>, and while the audience will undoubtedly support the teenager, Putintseva will have the upper hand with her superior skill and experience in this matchup. Head\u2013to\u2013Head<\/strong>: First Meeting<\/p>\n Leylah Fernandez will seek to break a four-match losing streak against Suzan Lamens. The Canadian, seeded fourth, was eliminated in her first match at Queen’s but reached the final at Eastbourne a year ago.<\/p>\n Lamens recently reached the quarterfinals in Hertogenbosch but still has limited experience on grass overall. However, she will pose a challenge for Fernandez since she has fared better on this surface this year.
\nPrediction: Putintseva in 2<\/em><\/p>\nLeylah Fernandez vs Suzan Lamens<\/h4>\n
\nPrediction: Lamens in 3<\/em><\/p>\n