It promises to be an entertaining second day at the WTA Monastir Open with the top seed amongst those set to join the fray. As always, we here at LWOT are offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Lesia Tsurenko vs Chloe Pacquet and Martina Trevisan vs Katarzyna Kawa. But who will advance?
WTA Monastir Day 2 Predictions
Magdalena Frech vs Nuria Parrizas Diaz
Head-to-head: Frech 1-1 Nuria Parrizas Diaz
Magdalena Frech is an interesting example of a player who doesn’t have anything that interesting in her game, but has learned to utilise her strengths to absolute perfection and become a regular on the main tour. She’s not known for going very deep, but she hasn’t lost an opening-round match since Cincinnati. And she’ll also be the favorite here with Nuria Parrizas Diaz on a bit of a decline this year. The Spaniard still has the aggressive game to boss Frech around though, but it’s about the consistency of the execution.
Prediction: Frech in 2
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Aliona Bolsova vs Mai Hontama
Head-to-head: first meeting
Mai Hontama had a few good performances during the Asian Swing, especially in her Osaka semifinal run and then a tight two-set loss to Iga Swiatek in Tokyo. The Japanese has been able to get about a week of rest and will now try to prolong this good patch on the other side of the globe. With Aliona Bolsova not showing anything spectacular of late, it’s possible that Hontama’s consistent depth and a very solid baseline game will be enough to take the win here.
Prediction: Hontama in 3
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Jasmine Paolini vs Alize Cornet
Head-to-head: Cornet 2-1 Paolini
Jasmine Paolini has had such a strong season and the Italian always had it in her, especially when she can dictate with that pocket rocket forehand and use it with a bit more bravery than usual. Alize Cornet is a smart player though and she’s been so good at utilizing all that experience she has to keep herself relevant on the main circuit. Can she produce another upset, something she’s kind of known for? Maybe, but it’s also possible that we’ll see Paolini being simply a class above by now.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Main photo credit: Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
