WTA Austin Day 2 Predictions

There are many exciting matches to watch on day 2 of the ATX Open in Austin but the highlight would be the return of two-time Grand Slam winner, Petra Kvitova, who will play her first match in 15 months. As always, we at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate. But who will advance?

WTA Austin Day 2 Predictions

Caroline Dolehide vs Anastasia Zakharova

Head-to-Head: first meeting

Caroline Dolehide has had a bit of tough luck with draws this season and she could potentially play Peyton Stearns in the next round. However, she must take one match at a time and start with a good performance against Anastasia Zakharova, who is finally in the main draw of a tournament after failing to qualify in her last three events. Zakharova has shown good potential in 2024 and a win against Dolehide could be huge for her confidence. I can see her taking a set but Dolehide should have enough to win this.

Prediction: Dolehide in 3

Kamilla Rakhimova vs Suzan Lamens

Head-to-Head: Rakhimova 0-1 Lamens

Kamilla Rakhimova is playing her second ATX Open main draw and will look to improve from the last time. However, she has not had much success on hard courts and is yet to win a tour-level match this season. Suzan Lamens is currently playing at a higher level and she easily defeated Rakhimova at the start of the season. I will go with the player who is more accomplished on this surface.

Prediction: Lamens in 3

Peyton Stearns vs Varvara Gracheva

Head-to-Head: Stearns 2-2 Gracheva

#3 seed, Peyton Stearns will start her campaign against a familiar opponent in Varvara Gracheva. This is the fifth meeting between the two and the second of this season. Stearns won in three sets when they met in Cluj-Napoca at the beginning of this month. Gracheva will look to take revenge and she has a great record here, making the final in 2023. However, she is not playing at a good level while Stearns got two great wins last week in Dubai. Considering the form, I am giving the edge to the American player.

Prediction: Stearns in 3

Petra Kvitova vs Jodie Burrage

Head-to-Head: first meeting

Former world No.2, Petra Kvitova will play her first match since taking a maternity leave. Kvitova needs some match practice before the big events next month, so playing in Austin is a wise move. It’s hard to predict the level she will be at after not playing a match for 15 months. She does have a big serve to rely upon and that would be key as it will take some time for her to find other aspects of her game, especially the movement. Jodie Burrage is a better player than her record suggests and can trouble most players on her day. However, she frequently loses focus, which is unacceptable when playing against a great like Kvitova. If Burrage maintains her concentration and makes Kvitiova move, she has a great chance to win this match.

Prediction: Burrage in 3

Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

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