Veronika Kudermetova and Eugenie Bouchard played each other in Gstaad five years ago with the Canadian coming out on top. Can she pull that off again at altitude in Guadalajara, Mexico, conditions she usually really enjoys? Who do you think will prevail?
WTA Guadalajara Day 2 Predictions
Caroline Dolehide vs Peyton Stearns
Head-to-head: Stearns 1-0
Peyton Stearns won their match in the semifinals at Charleston earlier this year (green clay), but how will the American big-hitter handle the altitude conditions in Guadalajara? At least on paper, her explosive forehand should be very threatening here. Caroline Dolehide doesn’t quite have the same aggressive edge to her game and if Stearns is hitting well, she won’t be able to disrupt her.
Prediction: Stearns in 2
Storm Hunter vs Iryna Shymanovich
Head-to-head: First meeting
Iryna Shymanovich has almost no Tour-level experience to speak of, although she did win a round at this year’s Roland Garros. Despite being one of the world’s best at doubles, Storm Hunter hasn’t broken the Top 100 yet and it doesn’t seem like she’s about to in the near future. The Belarusian might actually be a bit more dangerous down the line and blast through Hunter’s lefty spins.
Prediction: Shymanovich in 3
Karolina Pliskova vs Hailey Baptiste
Head-to-head: Baptiste 1-0
Hailey Baptiste recently defeated Karolina Pliskova in Washington, but that doesn’t mean she’ll pull it off again. The Czech’s serve should be extremely powerful in the conditions at Guadalajara and might make her an even tougher foe. The former World No. 1 hasn’t had a good season and is often battling her own inconsistency, but this is a matchup she should be able to control.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
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Veronika Kudermetova vs Eugenie Bouchard
Head-to-head: Bouchard 1-0
Eugenie Bouchard has recently announced joining the pickleball circuit, but it looks like she’s not quite done with tennis yet. She usually plays very well in Mexico and had one of her best runs in recent years on these courts in 2021 (at a WTA 250 event). Veronika Kudermetova is on a streak of losses too and while they came against better opposition, Bouchard might actually have a shot at the upset here.
Prediction: Bouchard in 3
Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
