Three second-round picks from Athens today, with temperatures hitting 92°F under clear skies, and the heat could be a real factor in the longer matches. Let's get into it.
WTA Athens Open Predictions
Alina Korneeva vs Ann Li
Head-to-head: First meeting
On paper this looks like it should be Li's match. She's ranked 31st, Korneeva is 90th, and that gap normally tells the story. But Korneeva is only 19 and has been trending upward all season, and hard courts are comfortably her best surface. Li has been inconsistent this year and hasn't strung together results that would make you feel confident backing her here.
I think the heat and a tight third set decide this one, and Korneeva's fitness and baseline consistency give her enough to come through, all things considered.
Prediction: Korneeva in 3
Tereza Valentova vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Head-to-head: First meeting
Sasnovich is well past the point in her career where ranking dips like this reflect what she can actually do on a tennis court, and she's capable of beating players ranked well above her on any given day. That said, Valentova has been one of the more consistent performers on tour this season for someone in her position, and being ranked over 90 spots higher isn't nothing.
I feel like Sasnovich makes it uncomfortable but Valentova's the better player right now and gets through in three.
Prediction: Valentova in 3
Barbora Krejcikova vs Carole Monnet
Head-to-head: First meeting
Krejcikova hasn't had the easiest stretch lately but Monnet is ranked 205th, which is about as low as you'll see in a draw like this, and this is about as favorable a draw as Barbora could ask for. Hard to see this being competitive at all, and Krejcikova's variety and experience on hard courts should make this fairly straightforward.
Krejcikova in straight sets.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © SIPA USA