Despite the tournament in Canada still awaiting its champion, the tennis never truly stops, as the tournament at WTA Cincinnati is now underway, beginning the final leg of the North American hard-court summer swing before the final Major of the year. We have a packed slate of first-round matches, all of which we here at LWOT will be predicting for you, as always. But who do you think will advance?
WTA Cincinnati Day 1 Predictions
Diane Parry vs Caroline Dolehide
Head-to-head: First meeting
Being one of the few players on the WTA Tour still employing a one-handed backhand, Diane Parry’s matches are always intriguing to watch because of her high-variety game style. This matchup will likely come down to whether Caroline Dolehide, a player who relies heavily on her big serve and flat groundstrokes, can out-hit Parry without committing more unforced errors than winners. On a fast court, that might be a solid approach, but Parry, on the back of her more complete game, should come through a closely contested match.
Prediction: Parry in 3
Daria Kasatkina vs Zeynep Sonmez
Head-to-head: Kasatkina 1-0 Sonmez
Both of these players like to employ their game styles from the back of the court, as Daria Kasatkina is a gritty counterpuncher, while Zeynep Sonmez, who does have an all-court aggressive style, still does the best of her work from the baseline. This matchup will likely come down to whether Kasatkina can counterpunch her way through Sonmez, as it is likely that Sonmez will be the aggressor in this encounter. In a battle of attack versus defense, I expect Sonmez to implement her playstyle in what should be faster conditions at WTA Cincinnati and get a confidence-boosting win.
Prediction: Sonmez in 3
Simona Waltert vs Petra Marcinko
Head-to-head: Waltert 3-1 Marcinko
Both of these players are known for their aggressive baseline games, which are based on putting high pressure on their opponents. While it can be argued that Simona Waltert is more versatile in her approach, using her court coverage when needed, Marcinko is the player who is continuously improving and should prefer faster conditions. Historically, this has not been a good matchup for the Croatian, but if she takes the initiative from the baseline and remains confident throughout the match, I can see her reaching the second round.
Prediction: Marcinko in 3
Tatjana Maria vs Dayana Yastremska
Head-to-head: Maria 2-0 Yastremska
This WTA Cincinnati matchup is a complete contrast of styles, as Dayana Yastremska is a ball basher by nature who relies on aggressive tennis. Tatjana Maria, meanwhile, is one of the few remaining players in tennis who still employs a heavy slice game to outfox her opponents tactically. Yastremska undoubtedly has the bigger weapons in this matchup, but time and time again, Maria has shown that against heavy-hitting players, she can use her experience and frustrate her opponents.
While I do think that if Yastremska serves well and plays her natural game, she can get the win here, Maria has dominated their two previous meetings to such an extent that I cannot see Yastremska getting her first win against the German just yet.
Prediction: Maria in 3
Taylor Townsend vs Camila Osorio
Head-to-head: Townsend 1-0 Osorio
This matchup pits Taylor Townsend’s aggressive and net-heavy game against Camila Osorio’s defensive and counterpunching abilities. While Osorio does have the ability to frustrate Townsend into making a host of errors by absorbing her aggressive play, the conditions at WTA Cincinnati offer a fast hard court. On such a surface, I expect Townsend’s game to translate better than Osorio’s and, as a result, come through this match with a victory in front of a home crowd.
Prediction: Townsend in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports