A few first-round picks from the WTA Guadalajara Open Akron today, though the weather isn't playing ball with rain and overcast skies making conditions tricky outdoors. Let's get into it.
WTA Guadalajara Open Akron Predictions
Elsa Jacquemot vs Liudmila Samsonova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Samsonova is the obvious favorite here. She's a level above Jacquemot in just about every area, and the Frenchwoman, while solid on clay, hasn't done much to suggest she can trouble a top-50 player on hard courts. Samsonova hits the ball incredibly hard off both wings and when she's locked in she can blow through opponents before they find their rhythm.
That said, Samsonova has had some inconsistency issues this year and Jacquemot will compete. But I think this one goes three sets and Samsonova should still find a way to get through here.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
Tatjana Maria vs Taylor Townsend
Head-to-head: Maria 0-1 Townsend
Townsend took the only previous meeting, and her all-court game with that big lefty serve and net presence is genuinely a nightmare to deal with for someone like Maria, whose game relies so much on slices and changes of pace. Maria is crafty and never easy to put away but Townsend has been one of the best stories on tour over the last couple of seasons and has the tools to handle whatever Maria throws at her.
Prediction: Townsend in 3
Elvina Kalieva vs Kayla Day
Head-to-head: Kalieva 1-0 Day
Two Americans just outside the top 100, ranked almost identically, with Kalieva holding the only previous result between them. These are always the trickiest matches to call and honestly this feels like a coin flip. To make things worse, Day has been the more active player on tour recently, and I feel like that consistency gives her enough of an edge to flip the head-to-head result here.
Prediction: Day in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Rob Prange/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire