We've got three third-round picks from the WTA Cincinnati Open to get into today, and there's a decent mix of lopsided favorites and genuinely unpredictable matchups. Let's see who's moving through.
WTA Cincinnati Open Predictions
Alexandra Eala vs Amanda Anisimova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Eala has had a remarkable rise and her ranking doesn't lie, but Anisimova on hard courts is a different kind of problem. She hits the ball so clean off both wings and when she's feeling it, there's very little you can do from the baseline. First meetings can go either way and Eala is no pushover, so I think this one runs to three.
That said, Anisimova's flat ball-striking should cause real problems on this surface, and she's the more experienced player in big indoor hard-court environments. Close match, but Anisimova gets through.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Emma Navarro vs Jessica Pegula
Head-to-head: Navarro 0-3 Pegula
Pegula leads this H2H 3-0 and all three of those wins, which includes a straight-sets result earlier this season, have come on hard courts, which is exactly where we are now. Hard to see this being competitive at all. Pegula's ability to redirect pace and stay so clean with her groundstrokes makes life extremely difficult for players who rely on building the point. Pegula wins this without dropping a set.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Diana Shnaider vs Maja Chwalinska
Head-to-head: Shnaider 1-1 Chwalinska
This one's genuinely interesting. The H2H is split and Chwalinska has clearly been playing well enough to reach the third round at a Premier event, so she can't be taken lightly. Shnaider is ranked higher and has more power off the ground, but she can be inconsistent, and when the errors creep in she becomes beatable. Chwalinska will make it uncomfortable.
I feel like Shnaider's extra firepower on hard courts is the difference over three sets, should still find a way to get through here. Expect some swings in momentum before she closes it out.
Prediction: Shnaider in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
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