WTA Berlin Day 3 kicks off the second round matches. With a few surprises in the first round, will the second round be more of the same? Or will everything go to script? We look at the four matches on the card and offer our thoughts.
WTA Berlin Day 3
Victoria Azarenka vs Zeynep Sonmez
Head to Head: First Meeting
Victoria Azarenka eased through the first round against World #9 Maria Sakkari. The Belarussian is ten places lower in the ranking than her first round opponent, however, Azarenka has made the semifinal at Wimbledon before, so is always a force to be reckoned with. Zeynep Sonmez came through qualifying and defeated Aranxta Rus in the first round. Although a three set fight, the Turk overcame the higher ranked player.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Katerina Siniakova vs Qinwen Zheng
Head to Head: 1-1
Katerina Siniakova eased through qualifying and the first round, the Czech is yet to drop a set. Qinwen Zheng needed three sets to defeat Naomi Osaka in the first round. The Chinese player will be favourite for this match, however, don’t discount Siniakova to pull off a surprise
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
Marketa Vondrousova vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head to Head: First Meeting
Marketa Vondrousova had very little trouble in the first round. The Czech is seeded here and will be hoping for a good run in the lead up to Wimbledon. Anna Kalinskaya needed three sets to get to this stage. Neither have played on grass before coming here to Berlin. Vondrousova should have no problem getting by Kalinskaya here.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Daria Kasatkina vs Aryna Sabalenka
Head to Head: 2-6
Daria Kasatkina once again faces Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarussian is seeded here and Kasatkina knows Sabalenka well. Unfortunately, the Russian does not have the game plan to defeat the seed. Despite the match going the distance, Sabalenka will extend the head-to-head again.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports