On the back of two massive events, the WTA 500 event in Strasbourg acts as a spacer before jumping right back into the fray of the French Open. Don’t let your guard down, though. There are still some big names looking to warm up before contesting for the second Slam of the year, including former US Open champ Sloane Stephens and huge hitter Ekaterina Alexandrova. We’ve looked to predict their matches and others on the second day of action in Strasbourg. We also predict the rest of the day’s action in a separate article. Who do you think will advance?
WTA Strasbourg Day 2 Predictions
Erika Andreeva vs Fiona Ferro
Head-to-head: First meeting
Erika Andreeva is catching up to her sister. The Russian has shown some great form to crack the top 100 and has posted some great wins in the past few weeks, including Diane Parry and Rebeka Masarova. Whilst her game isn’t as rock solid as Mirra’s, it’ll take a high level to beat her.
We’re not certain Fiona Ferro can sustain that level. The Frenchwoman has certainly come on leaps and bounds since making her comeback but she’s just been a little too patchy on the court. We’re taking Andreeva here by a whisker.
Prediction: Andreeva in 3
Sloane Stephens vs Magdalena Frech
Head-to-head: Stephens 3-0 Frech
It’s a rematch of the Rouen final between Sloane Stephens and Magda Linette. Stephens took that encounter on similar clay to that of Strasbourg but a lot changes in a month. Stephens has since posted two one-sided losses to Sakkari and Putintseva and retired against Gadecki.
The American is so up and down from week to week and Magdalena Frech will likely be there to take advantage of any dips. With that said, it feels likely Stephens will be a bit off so we’re predicting a Frech victory.
Prediction: Frech in 3
Yulia Putintseva vs Katerina Siniakova
Head-to-head: First meeting
The World #41 isn’t playing like the World #41. Yulia Putintseva is #27 in the race to the WTA Finals and deservedly so. She’s gone 8-2 in her clay court campaign so far, pushing Elena Rybakina to the very brink and putting up a great fight against Iga Swiatek in Rome. She’s playing exceptionally solid tennis and will demand a lot of Katerina Siniakova.
Siniakova is playing well herself having come through the Lleida 125 event. We’d argue her competition wasn’t quite as stiff as Putintseva, however. It feels as though the Kazakhstani is on an upwards trajectory.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Cristina Bucsa
Head-to-head: First meeting
One of the flattest hitters on the tour, Ekaterina Alexandrova excels in fast conditions. Unfortunately the last few weeks haven’t been particularly kind with clay courts dampening her game, even in the high altitude of Madrid.
Cristina Bucsa is solid but won’t be too passive to consistently give Alexandrova time on the ball. This won’t be a kind match-up in less than favourable conditions so we’re going to side with the Spaniard.
Prediction: Bucsa in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
