The first US swing on the WTA Tour in 2024 begins in San Diego and Austin. The WTA 500 event in San Diego promises to be a great event, despite four players withdrawing from the event. There are six matches on the opening day in San Diego, with three of those predicted in this article. The other three San Diego contests are predicted in a separate article, including Marta Kostyuk vs Ann Li.
WTA San Diego Day 1 Predictions
Marina Melnikova vs Marina Stakusic
Head-to-head: First meeting
Both players came through qualifying to reach the main draw. This is a golden opportunity for two players ranked outside the Top 200 to get a WTA main-draw victory. The qualifying matches were Stakusic’s first of the season, while Melnikova has been playing more consistently. Although Melnikova did knock out the No. 1 seed Jodie Burrage in qualifying, I still think Stakusic is the favourite. She is ranked nearly 200 places higher, and at her best, the 19-year-old is a better player. Her level in qualifying makes me confident enough that the Canadian will find enough of that form again at the WTA San Diego Open.
Prediction: Stakusic in 2
Lesia Tsurenko vs Katie Boulter
Head-to-head: Tsurenko 3-0 Boulter
This is a contest between two players who have thrived in the last 12 months. Boulter had a major breakthrough last year, while the 34-year-old Tsurenko unexpectedly had one of the best seasons of her career in 2023. Hopefully, the Ukrainian is fully fit after withdrawing from her match against Naomi Osaka in Doha and then from the Dubai Tennis Championships with an injury. This could be close, but I am backing Boulter to get a first win against Tsurenko at the WTA San Diego Open. The Brit had some good results in North America last year with her clean hitting, and she could be refreshed after a few weeks off.
Prediction: Boulter in 3
Clara Tauson vs Wang Xinyu
Head-to-head: First meeting
Tauson is a very inconsistent performer. However, she can challenge top players when her big-hitting game is clicking. The Dane showed this by pushing last year’s Australian Open semifinalist Victoria Azarenka and Jelena Ostapenko very close this season, including holding match points against Ostapenko. Wang impressively beat WTA Elite Trophy winner Beatriz Haddad Maia in Doha a couple of weeks ago. She was unfortunate to run into Azarenka and Donna Vekic firing on all cylinders in her two matches since. Tauson is capable of causing an upset, but it is hard to know what to expect from her. Wang is more likely to be consistent and make it through at the WTA San Diego Open.
Prediction: Wang in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
