Main draw action in the WTA 250 in Austin, Texas, kicks off with six matches. Some of the home favorites will be in action with former semifinalist Katie Voylnets drawing Nikola Bartunkova in the opening round. Who will reach the next round?
WTA Austin Day 1 Predictions
Alycia Parks vs Oksana Selekhmeteva
Head-to-head: Parks 1-0 Selekhmeteva
Just three spots separate Alycia Parks from Oksana Selekhmeteva in the Top 80 of the WTA rankings. Parks’ previous two main draw appearances in Austin resulted in first-round exits, while Selekhmeteva fell in qualifying in her only trip last year. The Russian has played superbly on hard courts this season, with her third-round finish at the Australian Open ranking as one of her career highlights. That said, if Parks brings a steadier serving performance, she should dictate this match.
Prediction: Parks in 2
Anna Bondar vs Kamilla Rakhimova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Kamilla Rakhimova is still chasing her first main draw win of the season. Her doubles success earlier this month has masked her singles record (title winner in Cluj-Napoca). Anna Bondar has not won in Austin before and has lost three of her last four matches. The Hungarian’s heavy top spin and disciplined depth shine on slower surfaces, although she is still capable of playing well on hard courts. Rakhimova is the more natural ball striker on this surface and her competitiveness has not wavered despite her winless run in the main draws.
Prediction: Rakhimova in 3
Katie Volynets vs Nikola Bartunkova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Nikola Bartunkova enters this tournament in solid rhythm. She’s won nine of her last 12 matches, including five at the Australian Open from qualifying. Bartunkova had to qualify for the main draw in Austin and did so emphatically without dropping a set. Katie Volynets has home advantage, but the American’s defensive resilience has been missing in recent weeks.
Prediction: Bartunkova in 3
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