WTA Cincinnati Day 2 Predictions

The Cincinnati Open is well and truly underway as Day 2 sees the conclusion of the first round. Day 2 has a packed slate across both tours, with this article focusing on four WTA Tour matches and highlighting the return of the great Venus Williams in Cincinnati. But that is not nearly all that will be on display. As always, we here at LWOT will be breaking down every match for you. But who do you think will extend their stay in Cincinnati for at least one more match?

WTA Cincinnati Day 2 Predictions

Maria Timofeeva vs Wang Xiyu

Head-to-head: Timofeeva 1-0 Wang

This matchup will come down to a battle of first-strike tennis, as both Maria Timofeeva and Wang Xiyu are aggressive players who like to dictate play on hard courts. Timofeeva relies more on her all-court variety, while Wang is a player who likes to employ a heavier topspin game. That was evident throughout her qualifying matches here, where she won both encounters in straight sets. That experience of having already played on these courts, coupled with the fact that this will be Timofeeva’s first match in three weeks, gives Wang the edge in this match for me.

Prediction: Wang in 3

Maya Joint vs Tamara Korpatsch

Head-to-head: First meeting

With a season to forget so far this year, Maya Joint showed some positive signs in Toronto as she stitched together three consecutive wins. Now, to start her campaign in Cincinnati, she faces Tamara Korpatsch, a player who, although she likes slower conditions more, does possess the tools to drag out points and make the match physical. This encounter will likely come down to Joint’s level from the baseline. And while the Australian has been quite under par for long stretches this season, I can see her getting another win here to continue her stay in Cincinnati.

Prediction: Joint in 2

Lilli Tagger vs Talia Gibson

Head-to-head: First meeting

After dropping her first set in the qualifying round, Lilli Tagger was near perfect from there on, as she made the main draw without any further hiccups. Now, in her first-round match, the young Austrian will take on the aggressive game of Talia Gibson. Gibson likes to employ a dual-wing ball-bashing style, something that on faster surfaces can pose a big challenge. But Tagger has both the serve and the baseline variety to not only stay in this match but dictate the tempo of it. Ultimately, I expect a competitive encounter, one in which the player with more options finds the victory.

Prediction: Tagger in 3

Venus Williams vs Emiliana Arango

Head-to-head: First meeting

Emiliana Arango made the main draw the tough way, coming through back-to-back competitive three-set encounters in the qualifying round. Now, as a reward, she will get the honor of going up against the legend Venus Williams, who herself received a wild card for this tournament. At this stage of her career, every Williams appearance should be cherished regardless of the outcome. And while I do expect that to happen with a fully packed crowd supporting her, from a tennis point of view, it is quite likely that Williams once again gasses out as the match progresses, especially against a player who likes to make it physical.

Prediction: Arango in 2

Main Photo Credit: Syndication: Desert Sun/USAToday Images

Click here to read article