Only four second-round matches are on schedule at the WTA Merida Open on day four of the event. The most intriguing matchup of the day will feature two of the brightest prospects in women’s tennis when Italy’s fast-rising star Elisabetta Cocciaretto plays 21-year-old Chinese Xinyu Wang. Who do you think will come out on top?
WTA Merida Day 3 Predictions
Kimberly Birrell vs Xiyu Wang
Head-to-head: Wang 1-0 Birrell
Birrell has been tearing it up on the ITF circuit this month. And perhaps the only question coming into this match is whether fatigue could be a factor. She has played 12 matches including her opening-round win over Anna Bondar. Xinyu Wang, for her part, was slow off the blocks this year, but registered a stunning 7-5 4-6 7-6 win over eighth seed Alison Riske-Amritraj. That should give her an enormous amount of confidence and belief. If this goes to three sets, Wang’s stamina could give her a significant edge.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Caty McNally vs Katie Volynets
Head-to-head: first meeting
McNally dashed fears she was going to take longer to find her footing this year. With the Sunshine Double around the corner, the American produced a statement win on Monday, beating in-form Chinese Zhu Lin in three sets. After two tight sets, McNally stepped up in the third racing to win it 6-1. Volynets, meanwhile, also scored an odds-defying win against Italy’s Lucia Bornzetti to herald her best start to a season at Tour level. With three main draw wins this year, Volynets has now punctured the WTA’s top 100. But McNally has a wealth of experience at this level and has a lot more potential with her game right now.
Prediction: McNally in 2
Camila Giorgi vs Nuria Parrizas-Diaz
Head-to-head: first meeting
Camila Giorgi made light work of Mayar Sherif in her opening match, cruising to a 6-4 6-2 win over the Egyptian trailblazer. A much sterner test lies ahead for the hard-hitting Giorgi who will play Nuria Parrizas-Diaz. The Spaniard came through an entertaining three-setter against Croatia’a Ana Konjuh. Stylistically, Konjuh is not too dissimilar from Giorgi in their approach shots, but the Italian’s aggression and change of pace are completely different. Giorgi should win the battle of the 31-year-olds.
Prediction: Giorgi in 2
Elisabetta Cocciaretto vs Xinyu Wang
Head-to-head: first meeting
Wang is going full throttle at Tour-level tournaments this year and she is making deep runs in them. Cocciaretto, however, is the steadier player here having been a little quicker in rising through the rankings. She has been to a WTA final this year, something Xinyu Wang has yet to do. The Italian is just a few spots from a top-50 debut and should see this as an opportunity to achieve that personal milestone.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 3
Main Photo Credit: © Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
