A few second-round picks from Rabat today, with overcast skies and mild temperatures making for good clay-court conditions. Three interesting matchups here, including one result I think will turn a few heads.
WTA Grand Prix De SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem Predictions
Emiliana Arango vs Anna Bondar
Head-to-head: Arango 1-2 Bondar
Bondar leads the head-to-head and has generally been the more consistent clay-court performer of the two. Arango is a decent mover and can make life difficult, but she's ranked outside the top 80 for a reason and Bondar at her best is a tough out on this surface.
That said, clay in Rabat can be a bit unpredictable and these two have split sets before, so I wouldn't be shocked if Arango takes one. Bondar should get through, but probably not without a fight.
Prediction: Bondar in 3
Yuliia Starodubtseva vs Anhelina Kalinina
Head-to-head: First meeting
Starodubtseva is ranked higher and has been playing some decent tennis this season, but Kalinina is a natural clay-courter who knows how to construct points on slow surfaces and can be a real handful. First meetings on clay tend to be grindy and this one feels like it'll go the distance.
Starodubtseva takes it, but Kalinina will make her work for every game.
Prediction: Starodubtseva in 3
Fiona Ferro vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
Head-to-head: Ferro 1-0 Maneiro
On paper this looks straightforward for Bouzas Maneiro. She's ranked 51st, Ferro is down at 200 and has been well outside the top 100 for a while now. But Ferro is a former top-25 player, she's French and grew up on clay, and she already has that one win over Bouzas Maneiro, so she's not walking in blind.
The ranking gap is real and Bouzas Maneiro is the better player right now, but something about this one feels off. Ferro in three, all things considered.
Prediction: Ferro in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
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