We've got three picks from the Bad Homburg first round to get into today, and it's an interesting mix. Grass always throws up surprises early in the week, so who do you think makes it through?
WTA Bad Homburg Open Predictions
Iva Jovic vs Xinyu Wang
Head-to-head: First meeting
Jovic has had a quietly impressive season for a 19-year-old, cracking the top 20 and showing she can handle pressure points on the big stages. Wang is no pushover and her flat ball-striking can do damage on fast surfaces, so this isn't a free pass for Jovic by any means. But I think Jovic's variety and court coverage give her the better tools on grass and she should find a way through even if it takes three sets.
Prediction: Jovic in 3
Alexandra Eala vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: Eala 0-2 Mertens
Mertens has won both times these two have played, but Eala has been one of the more exciting stories on tour this year and she's clearly a different player now than when those losses happened. Mertens is experienced and reads the game well, and grass genuinely suits her low, skidding ball, so this is a real test for Eala. That said, the Filipino has the power and the nerve to flip the head-to-head here, and on a good day she's capable of beating anyone in this part of the draw.
Prediction: Eala in 3
Naomi Osaka vs Magdalena Frech
Head-to-head: First meeting
Osaka on grass is always a fascinating watch because the surface genuinely suits her serve and flat groundstrokes, but her movement and consistency have been up and down since her return. Frech is a solid clay-court competitor who reached the Roland Garros fourth round this year, and grass, where the ball stays low and skids through, is a different story for her entirely. Hard to see this being competitive at all once Osaka gets her serve going. Osaka's ball lands heavy on this surface and she should be able to dictate enough points to come through, even if it's a bit bumpy.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Matthieu Mirville/ZUMA Press Wire