The WTA Hungarian Grand Prix main draw action kicks off on Monday in Budapest with seven main draw matches. Elina Avanesyan is among the most high-profile players on the schedule, having reached the second week at Roland Garros recently. Can the Russian continue piling up such strong results? We also look at the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article.
WTA Budapest Day 1 Predictions
Astra Sharma vs Kamilla Rakhimova
Head-to-head: Rakhimova 1-0
Astra Sharma has actually fallen off quite a bit recently, but her drop down to the ITF level might actually be a blessing in disguise here. She’s managed to pick up lots of match rhythm, unlike Kamila Rakhimova who’s coming off three straight losses on grass. Along with how dominant Sharma was in the qualifying, maybe this really is a good opportunity for the Australian to get back to winning ways.
Prediction: Sharma in 3
Natalia Szabanin vs Kateryna Baindl
Head-to-head: First meeting
The only home-country representative playing on Monday will be Natalia Szabanin. It’s been a very unsuccessful season for the 19-year-old with her record outside of the Billie Jean King Cup standing at just 4-12. Maybe she can find some magic on home soil here, but it does look pretty unlikely. Kateryna Baindl isn’t going that strong this year either, but she’s been facing better opposition. She’s also done really well in the past few editions of this event. She’ll make it tough for Szabanin here.
Prediction: Baindl in 2
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Rebecca Sramkova vs Elina Avanesyan
Head-to-head: First meeting
Elina Avanesyan broke into the Top 100 with a phenomenal run at Roland Garros and the next few months will be our opportunity to check whether she’s here to stay. She impressed in Paris with her variety and court craft, which should keep helping her out in Budapest. Rebecca Sramkova’s not a particularly comfortable round one opponent, but she’s also not in amazing from at the moment. If Avanesyan can keep rallying like she was a month ago, she should be getting through to the second round.
Prediction: Avanesyan in 2
