Last year\u2019s finalist, Coco Gauff, gets her WTA Madrid Open campaign underway on Friday. The World No. 3 faces French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean. Elsewhere, Rouen Open champion Marta Kostyuk takes on Yulia Putintseva in a popcorn second-round match. Who will advance to the next round?<\/p>\n
WTA Madrid Day 4 Predictions
\nYulia Putintseva vs Marta Kostyuk<\/p>\n
Head-to-head: Kostyuk 1-0 Putintseva<\/p>\n
This promises to be one of the most competitive matches of the day. When they played in Brisbane earlier this year, Putintseva took a set from Kostyuk before the Ukrainian hit back and cruised in the next two sets. On clay, I expect Putintseva to push Kostyuk even more. The Kazakhstani uses her defensive skills and counterpunching ability to frustrate opponents. Kostyuk offers greater offensive upside but is still prone to fluctuations. This could be another three-setter in the making with a slight edge to the in-form Kostyuk.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3<\/p>\n
Janice Tjen vs Liudmila Samsonova<\/p>\n
Head-to-head: Samsonova 1-0 Tjen<\/p>\n
Only once in her four previous trips to Madrid has Samsonova reached the last 16. The Russian faces a tough path to get there for a second time, starting with a meeting against the fast-improving Janice Tjen<\/a>. That said, Samsonova\u2019s power game remains a significant weapon in the quicker conditions in Madrid. Tjen is an exciting prospect, but she\u2019s still inexperienced on clay. Magdalena Frech vs Solana Sierra<\/p>\n Head-to-head: first meeting<\/p>\n Frech is winless in her last four matches. Since reaching the final in Merida, it has all gone downhill for the 28-year-old. Last year, she didn\u2019t perform spectacularly on clay, so her top 50 spot is not under immediate threat. But with the Pole\u2019s level dropping, I think she looks beatable right now. Sierra has a win under her belt this week (and it was a great win over big-hitting Dayana Yastremska) and should carry that confidence into this match. Coco Gauff vs Leolia Jeanjean<\/p>\n Head-to-head: Gauff 1-0 Jeanjean<\/p>\n
Prediction: Samsonova in 2<\/p>\n
Prediction: Sierra in 3<\/p>\n