Day 3 of the WTA Cincinnati Open will see the commencement of second-round matches, with many top seeds in action. This article features World No.2 Elena Rybakina taking on home player Taylor Townsend. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate, but who will advance to the third round?
WTA Cincinnati Day 3 Predictions
Maja Chwalinska vs Cristina Bucsa
Head-to-Head: Chwalinska 0-1 Bucsa
Maja Chwalinska has struggled since her amazing performance in Paris and will be eager to win some matches this week. She is playing the main draw here for the first time and has some expectations on her as a Top 20 seed. Cristina Bucsa ended her eight-match losing streak by defeating Panna Udvardy in the first round. It must have been a relief for the Spaniard, who has struggled with form and injury since winning her first WTA title in Merida. Chwalinska has little experience on this surface, and I think she will need some more matches to find her best tennis on hard courts.
Prediction: Bucsa in 3
Emma Navarro vs Anhelina Kalinina
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Former Top 10 player Emma Navarro found some good form on grass, and it looked like she was getting back to her best, but a couple of early losses on hard courts have set her back once again. Her record at this tournament doesn’t bring any optimism either, as she has never won a match in three appearances. However, Navarro must like her chances against Anhelina Kalinina, who prefers clay and didn’t play great in the first round.
Prediction: Navarro in 3
Belinda Bencic vs Lois Boisson
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Belinda Bencic withdrew from her quarterfinal match in Toronto due to a hip issue, but before that, she was playing some great tennis. Bencic has never been consistent in Cincinnati, with just one quarterfinal appearance, but I expect her to make a deep run if she is fit. Lois Boisson played her best match of the season, defeating Ashlyn Krueger in the first round. This would have given her a lot of confidence, and I can see her challenging Bencic in this form. The Swiss player must be dialled in to win this.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Elena Rybakina vs Taylor Townsend
Head-to-Head: Rybakina 1-0 Townsend
Elena Rybakina did brilliantly to reach the final in Toronto despite not playing her best tennis for most of the tournament. She struggled to find her rhythm and was far from her best in the final. This would be a quick turnaround for the #2 seed, and after putting in a lot of mental and physical effort, I wouldn’t be shocked if she wasn’t at her best here. Taylor Townsend is in good form and is capable of capitalising if Rybakina is below her best. I am predicting an upset in this one.
Prediction: Townsend in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports