We've got three first-round picks from the WTA Birmingham Open today, all on grass and all fairly competitive on paper. Let's see who gets through.
WTA Lexus Birmingham Open Predictions
Alexandra Eala vs Priscilla Hon
Head-to-head: Eala 1-1 Hon
The H2H being level makes this more interesting than the ranking gap suggests. Eala has been one of the more exciting young players on tour this year and her game translates well to grass, but Hon is a scrappy, experienced player who won't just roll over, and she's beaten Eala before so she knows it's possible.
I think Eala gets through, but Hon will make her work for it and a third set feels like a real possibility here.
Prediction: Eala in 3
Tatjana Maria vs Linda Fruhvirtova
Head-to-head: Maria 2-0 Fruhvirtova
Maria owns this H2H and on grass it's hard to see that changing. Her slice-heavy, net-rushing style is genuinely awkward on this surface, and Fruhvirtova at 149 in the world is not in great form right now. To make things worse for the Czech, she's never really looked comfortable against players who take pace off the ball and change the rhythm constantly, which is exactly what Maria does.
Maria in 3 feels right, though she rarely makes anything look straightforward.
Prediction: Maria in 3
Nao Hibino vs Janice Tjen
Head-to-head: Hibino 1-0 Tjen
Hibino is ranked 146 places below Tjen, so this is a big ask on paper. That said, Tjen hasn't been dominant on tour by any means, and Hibino is a veteran who competes hard and doesn't give matches away. The H2H edge, however slim, matters a little here too.
Hibino in 3 is the pick, and honestly a pretty bold one given the ranking difference, all things considered. We'll see.
Prediction: Hibino in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Marcin Cholewinski/ZUMA Press Wire