We've got three first-round picks from the WTA Ilkley Open to get into today. Grass-court tennis is always a bit unpredictable at this level, and none of these three matches are straightforward calls. So who comes through?
WTA Lexus Ilkley Open Predictions
Emerson Jones vs Dalma Galfi
Head-to-head: First meeting
Jones has shown some real promise on grass in the past and the surface should suit her aggressive, flat ball-striking more than it does Galfi, who's more at home on clay and hard courts. Galfi is ranked a little higher but her game doesn't naturally translate to this surface and she's never made a deep run at a grass event.
First meetings are always a bit of a coin flip, but Jones at home on British grass feels like the right call here. Jones in 3.
Prediction: Jones in 3
Lulu Sun vs Mary Stoiana
Head-to-head: Sun 0-1 Stoiana
Stoiana already beat Sun in their only previous meeting, and coming in as the lower-ranked player that's a meaningful head-to-head edge. Sun had a decent run at Wimbledon last year but her form in 2025 hasn't been consistent enough to make her a reliable favourite, and Stoiana is a tough, scrappy player who won't give her anything easy on grass.
Stoiana takes this one in three sets.
Prediction: Stoiana in 3
Tatiana Prozorova vs Sinja Kraus
Head-to-head: Prozorova 1-1 Kraus
Kraus is ranked considerably higher and you'd normally back her to handle a player like Prozorova, but the tied head-to-head, which already shows Prozorova has matched up well here, tells a different story and grass is a leveller at the best of times. That said, Prozorova is 172 in the world but has clearly had Kraus's number before, and something about this matchup seems to suit her game.
I think Prozorova pulls it off again in three, all things considered. We'll see.
Prediction: Prozorova in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Rob Prange/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire