It was a late night at the WTA Guadalajara Open as the first-round matches concluded. The third seed, Anna Blinkova fell to Tamara Zidansek, but most of the big names survived, despite some facing a scare. We’re down to the last 16, and as always we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate including Tamara Zidansek vs Catherine McNally. But who will reach the last 16?
WTA Guadalajara Open Day Three Predictions
Eugenie Bouchard vs Kaja Juvan
Head to head: first meeting
Eugenie Bouchard was able to find a way to win in the first round, despite some struggles from the line. The Canadian got only 59% of her first serves in play, bht she was able to win 70% of the points behind those deliveries. The challenge really came with the second service, which Caroline Dolehide was, at times, able to punish. Bouchard was still able to dig out a 3-6 6-1 6-3 win, but it is an area which Bouchard will need to sharpen, if she hopes to find a way past Kaja Juvan.
Juvan, meanwhile, recorded a straightforward win in her opener, dispatching Spain’s Aliona Bolsova in straight sets. She missed a few break opportunities, but was able to capitalize on two of her nine chances. She’ll see those same opportunities against Bouchard and, with the Canadian still far from the player she once was, Juvan should have a relatively easy path to the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Juvan in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Leylah Fernandez vs Astra Sharma
Head to head: first meeting
The Guadalajara Open is Leylah Fernandez’s first tournament as a seeded player on the main tour and the Canadian teen put in a lot of work in a tough battle against Anna Kalinskaya to win her first-round match. The seventh seed claimed the third set, thanks to her precise shotmaking. Variety is the hallmark of the Fernandez game, and she’ll use her shot-making to thwart Astra Sharma in the second round. Another challenging match is ahead for Fernandez, but with her good court craft, the young gun should survive another three-set bout.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Mihaela Buzarnescu vs Marie Bouzkova
Head to head: Buzarnescu 1-0 Bouzkova
Mihaela Buzarnescu knocked out Coco Vandeweghe in the first round. It took the Romanian nearly three hours to overcome the American in a three-set clash, which may leave her short of energy heading into the second round. But fortunately for Buzarnescu, her opponent in the last 16, Marie Bouzkova, was also pushed to a decider in her opener against Irina Bara. Buzarnescu and Bouzkova can endure lengthy rallies and long matches. Another long, three-set match could be in the offing here, but Bouzkova should have the edge. The Czech can produce some amazing shots when the going gets tough.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Nadia Podoroska vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Head to head: Podoroska 2-1 Cocciaretto
French Open semifinalist Nadia Podoroska faced a tough challenge in the form of Giuliana Olmos in her opener, with the Mexican qualifier pushed the top seed to the decider. Indeed, the third set looked like it would be a runaway for the Guadalajara local. But, Podoroska showed why she is the top seed at the Guadalajara Open. Down a break in the third, Podoroska began firing on all cylinders, landing some powerful forehands, painting the lines, and her confidence grew with each successful shot.
She’ll need to play with that level of confidence when she squares off against the feisty Italian, Elisabetta Cocciaretto. Podoroska’s power gets her out of the holes she finds herself in. She’s one step closer to her maiden WTA title, and I don’t see her losing the momentum she gained in her opening match.
Prediction: Podoroska in 2
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
