The WTA 1000 in Madrid promises some great matches on only Day 2 of main draw play. To name a couple, both Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Elina Svitolina are continuing their comebacks against Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva and Aliaksandra Sasnovich, respectively. We’ve tried to predict the outcomes of these first rounds and others on Day 2. We’ve split all the day’s matches between three articles. The other two articles feature Leylah Fernandez vs Mirra Andreeva and Emma Raducanu vs Viktoriya Tomova. Who do you think will advance?
WTA Madrid Day 2 Predictions
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva
Head-to-head: First meeting
Here’s a good chance for Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to pick up some momentum. Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva is a young player with a tough game to play on clay but she can absolutely be overpowered. The former French Open finalist has shown she still has plenty of weight behind her shots–she’s just been struggling to put it altogether for the entirety of a match.
We’re not completely ruling out Jimenez Kasintseva but Pavlyuchenkova has shown enough promise this year that she should be considered the favourite.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3.
Amanda Anisimova vs Arantxa Rus
Head-to-head: First meeting
Safe to say Amanda Anisimova would be a fairly heavy favorite at her best. There’s been a lack of confidence recently though that’s seen her lose six of her eight main draw matches this year.
Can Arantxa Rus take advantage? She’s put together plenty of wins recently but she hasn’t faced a returner like Anisimova. We just don’t think the American will have the confidence to execute that spectacular brand of first-strike tennis. This is a good chance for Rus.
Prediction: Rus in 3.
Brenda Fruhvirtova vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-head: First meeting
It’s tough to rule out Brenda Fruhvirtova even if her serve isn’t a weapon at this stage in her career. The conditions in Madrid allows players to shorten points if they’ve got the capabilities but she’s just so solid from the back, so technically sound, that she’ll probably be able to impose her own style of game regardless.
Does Anna Kalinskaya have the power game to defeat the talented 16-year-old? In short, yes–the Russian is a cut in quality above the opponents Fruhvirtova has regularly been defeating on the ITF circuit. It won’t be easy but she should find a way through.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3.
Elina Svitolina vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Head-to-head: 1-1
Elina Svitolina’s had some tight matches in 2023 and will probably show plenty of grit in this match but Aliaksandra Sasnovich hits a mean ball. It’ll be tough for the Ukranian to find her rhythm in these conditions against such a big hitter. It’s really just too early in the Elina Svitolina comeback to expect much
Prediction: Sasnovich in 2.
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
