The WTA event this week in Palermo marks the return of clay to the WTA tour. After a very intense Wimbledon fortnight, most of the top players in the world are resting and no top players are competing here in Palermo, but it’s still a very nice field with several players who are skilled on clay and will be looking to add some very important points to their ranking.
WTA Palermo Day 2 Predictions
Olga Danilovic vs Lucrezia Stefanini
Head-to-head: first meeting
Although the two players are very close to each other in the rankings, on clay Danilovic has a very clear edge, as she showed last week when she conquered a Challenger title in Bastad. She’s been playing very well on clay all season, even at the French Open, and should be able to prevail here.
Prediction: Danilovic in 2
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro vs Mayar Sherif
Head-to-head: first meeting
Maneiro is fresh off an ITF title in Rome, but this is a major step up in level. Sherif is far higher ranked and she also enjoys playing on clay, having won the last tournament (a challenger) she played on the surface as well. She should be able to come through here even if Maneiro could make it close.
Prediction: Sherif in 3
Nigina Abduraimova vs Tatian Prozorova
Head-to-head: Abduraimova 1-0 Prozorova
It’s rare to see a matchup between two players outside the top 175 at this level, but it does present a huge opportunity for both to get a rare tour win. When the fair faced last year on a hard court, Abduraimova prevailed but on clay it could be a different story. It should be a very tight match decided by fine details.
Prediction: Prozorova in 3
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Cristina Bucsa vs Francesa Curmi
Head-to-head: first meeting
On paper, Bucsa has a great draw here, facing a player outside the top 300 in her opening match. Curmi actually lost in qualifying but is still in the main draw as a lucky loser. Sometimes lucky losers cause surprises in the main draw, but this is unlikely to be one of those cases.
Prediction: Bucsa in 2
Daria Kasatkina vs Martina Trevisan
Head-to-head: first meeting
Kasatkina’s performances at Roland Garros and Wimbledon were surely below her high expectations and she will be looking to get some momentum back this week as the first seed in Palermo. Trevisan comes into this match on the back of four consecutive losses and is unlikely to challenge her here.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
