A few first-round picks to get into from 's-Hertogenbosch, where the grass season is properly underway. All three matches feature players who could make a decent run here, so let's see who gets off to a good start.
WTA Libema Open Predictions
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Panna Udvardy
Head-to-head: First meeting
Alexandrova is one of the more underrated grass-court players on tour. Her flat, direct ball-striking suits the surface well and she doesn't waste time in rallies, which is exactly what you want on this stuff. Udvardy is a decent player but at 59 in the world she's not someone who regularly goes deep at this level on any surface, let alone grass.
That said, these first meetings on grass can be tricky, and Alexandrova has a habit of making things harder than they need to be in best-of-threes. I think this one goes the distance before she closes it out.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Dayana Yastremska vs Sara Bejlek
Head-to-head: First meeting
Yastremska on grass is a different animal. Her big forehand gets even more dangerous when the ball stays low and skids through and she reached the final here in 2024, so she knows exactly what this court demands. Bejlek is ranked higher than you'd think at 35 but hasn't done much on grass to suggest she belongs in the same conversation this week.
Hard to see this being competitive at all.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Emma Navarro vs Caty McNally
Head-to-head: Navarro 2-1 McNally
These two know each other well from the American junior and college circuit and the professional matches have been close, but Navarro has clearly separated herself from McNally over the last year or so. She's become so good at not panicking under pressure, and on grass her slice and net game, which McNally has never really been able to neutralize, give her extra tools that McNally doesn't quite have.
McNally can serve her way into some free points and make it competitive early, but Navarro should handle this in two, all things considered.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Rodrigo Reyes Marin/ZUMA Press Wire