There should be plenty to enjoy for fans in Yucatan on day two at the inaugural WTA Merida Open. There are eight first-round matches on the slate on Tuesday and, as always, we here at LWOT are offering our predictions for all of them, including Magda Linette vs Camila Osorio. But who will book their place in the second round?
WTA Merida Day 2 Predictions
Wang Xinyu vs Elina Avanesyan
Head-to-head: Wang 1-0 Avanesyan
Wang Xinyu hasn’t wasted her opportunities at these low-tier WTA 250s. The Chinese made the quarterfinal in Hobart as a lucky loser, losing to eventual champion Lauren Davis, and then went one better in Hua Hin, reaching the semifinals where she against lost to the eventual winner, Zhu Lin. She played Elina Avanesyan just a week ago at the Irapuato ITF and won in three. The Russian has potential, but there is no real reason to expect a different outcome this time around.
Prediction: Wang in 3
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Tatjana Maria vs Kateryna Baindl
Head-to-head: Baindl 1-0 Maria
Tatjana Maria doesn’t possess the same tools as most modern-day tennis players, but she makes it up with her variation and slice. She has already won nine matches this year, including a W40 ITF title in Pune. Kateryna Baindl has fallen off slightly after a decent showing at the Australian Open, where she reached the third round. But this could be a really good matchup for her as the German is hardly going to blow her off the court. And in playing at such a slow pace, Baindl could limit her unforced error count.
Prediction: Baindl in 3
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Alycia Parks vs Fernanda Contreras Gomez
Head-to-head: Contreras Gomez 2-0 Parks
Alcyia Parks has lost both of her previous matches against Fernanda Contreras Gomez, with both meetings coming in the 2021 season. So despite sitting at a lowly 169th in the rankings, the Mexican wild card cannot be written off completely. Not least because she is sure to have the vocal backing of the crowd. But Parks has been in good touch for the most part in 2023, recovering from the disappointment of a defeat in the Australian Open qualifying to win her maiden WTA title in Lyon. Having improved significantly since 2021, don’t be surprised if Parks is able to overwhelm the home favourite.
Prediction: Parks in 2
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Sloane Stephens vs Leolia Jeanjean
Head-to-head: first meeting
Sloane Stephens hasn’t won a match this year. Actually, the former-US Open champion hasn’t won a set yet this year. Leolia Jeanjean, in contrast, is a player on the cusp of a top 100 breakthrough. The Frenchwoman survived a couple of three-setters in qualifying to reach the main draw, including an excellent comeback win over Erika Andreeva. But as well as Jeanjean played in qualifying, and as hard as it is to overlook Stephen’s dismal start to the year, the American is simply the better player. This is a good opportunity for Stephens to get back to winning ways. Expect her to do just that.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
