Two former runners-up will be in action on the second day at WTA Strasbourg, as well as two all-American encounters in what promises to be an exciting day of tennis. As always, we offer our predictions on who will continue the party in the north of France. But who will advance?
WTA Strasbourg Day 2 Predictions
Ashlyn Krueger vs McCartney Kessler
Head–to–Head: Krueger 0 vs 1 Kessler
McCarthney Kessler successfully progressed through qualifying to reach the main draw in Strasbourg after facing first-round exits in Rouen and Madrid, and was eliminated at the earliest opportunity in Rome. Ashlyn Krueger has hardly performed better on clay in recent weeks, recording three defeats in her last five matches, including second-round exits in Rouen and Rome and a first-round loss in Madrid.
The two players faced each other earlier this year in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Open, where Krueger defeated her compatriot in three tough sets. However, this will mark their first match on clay. Neither player is particularly well-suited to this surface, but Krueger, ranked seven places higher, will aim to take charge early and deny Kessler her maiden career win on clay.
Prediction: Krueger in 3
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Clara Tauson
Head–to–Head: Haddad Maia 1 vs 1 Tauson
Beatriz Haddad Maia has faced difficulties this season following a third-round showing at the Australian Open in January. She broke a lengthy winless streak in the first round of Madrid, but she couldn’t capitalize on that momentum, losing to Belinda Bencic in the subsequent round. In her latest event in Rome, the Brazilian suffered a heavy loss to Marie Bouzkova in the opening round.
Clara Tauson kicked off her clay court season with consecutive losses in Stuttgart and Madrid, but she performed a bit better in Rome by coming back from a set down to defeat 10th seed Emma Navarro, though she eventually lost to Mirra Andreeva in the fourth round.
Although they have not faced each other on clay before, their head-to-head record is evenly matched, with both encounters occurring in 2022. There is only a single ranking position separating these two players, but Tauson appears to be finding her form after achieving two decent wins in Rome, so we believe she will prevail in this match.
Prediction: Tauson in 2
Anna Blinkova vs Magdalena Frech
Head–to–Head: Blinkova 4 vs 2 Frech
Both players have had an underwhelming season. They have suffered several opening-round losses in almost all the events they participated in this year, with the Pole unable to string two wins in a row since the third round of the Australian Open. The last time Blinkova played at WTA Strasbourg, she finished as the runner-up. Having navigated her way through the qualifiers, she should be confident that she can make it to the next round against a familiar opponent and on familiar territory.
Prediction: Blinkova in 2
Sofia Kenin vs Danielle Collins
Head–to–Head: Kenin 1 vs 2 Collins
Danielle Collins defeated Iga Swiatek in the second round of the Italian Open, but she could not build on that success and fell to Elina Svitolina in the fourth round. Earlier this month, she participated in only one other clay court tournament in Charleston, where she reached the quarter-finals before losing to Jessica Pegula despite winning the first set.
Last year, Collins reached the tournament’s final but was defeated by Madison Keys. This time, she faces Sofia Kenin in the first round. Kenin faced early eliminations in Madrid and Rome, unable to build on her strong performance, which saw her reach the final of the Charleston Open in early April.
Collins holds the advantage in their head-to-head matchups, although Kenin’s only win was on clay in the quarter-finals of the 2020 French Open. Neither player is currently in peak form, and it seems likely that this matchup could swing either way, but look for the younger American to edge what will be a gritty win.
Prediction: Kenin in 3
Main Photo Credit: Ray Acevedo – USA TODAY Sports