Three third-round picks from the Madrid clay today, and there's plenty to talk about. We've got the world number one in action, a tricky upset alert in the H2H, and a Bencic comeback story that's been one of the more fun things to watch this spring.
WTA Madrid Open Predictions
Belinda Bencic vs Diana Shnaider
Head-to-head: Bencic 2-0 Shnaider
Bencic's return from maternity leave has been genuinely impressive and she's shown real comfort on clay again this season. She leads the H2H 2-0 and Shnaider, for all her power, hasn't found a way through her yet. Shnaider can be a handful when she's hitting clean, but Bencic is so good at not panicking in long rallies, and on slow Madrid clay that counts for a lot.
This one could go three, though. Shnaider is ranked 19th for a reason and if she gets her serve working she'll make Bencic work hard for it.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Aryna Sabalenka vs Jaqueline Cristian
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 0-2 Cristian
This H2H is genuinely surprising. Cristian leads Sabalenka 2-0 overall, which on paper looks like an upset waiting to happen, but context matters and Sabalenka is a completely different player now than she was when those losses happened. The world number one has been dominant on clay this spring and Cristian, ranked 33rd, is going to need everything to go right to extend that head-to-head lead.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Ann Li
Head-to-head: First meeting
Swiatek on Madrid clay is about as close to a sure thing as you get in tennis. Ann Li is a solid player and ranked 36th, but she's never been to the latter stages of a big clay event and Swiatek's combination of heavy topspin and court coverage is a nightmare matchup for players who don't have a natural way to disrupt the rally. Li doesn't really have that.
That said, Swiatek wins this, and the only question is whether Li can steal a set somewhere, all things considered.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Oscar J. Barroso/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire