Three picks from the first round of the WTA Parma Ladies Open today, with some tricky conditions on the cards. It's 54°F and partially cloudy with rain looking almost certain at some point during the day, so expect interruptions and some heavy clay out there. Which of these do you think goes the distance?
WTA Parma Ladies Open Predictions
Barbora Krejcikova vs Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva
Head-to-head: First meeting
Krejcikova's ranking doesn't tell the whole story right now. She's a former Roland Garros champion and still one of the better clay movers on the WTA tour when she's healthy and finding her game. Jimenez Kasintseva is a decent young player but ranked 111 and facing someone with this kind of clay pedigree in the first round is a tough ask.
That said, Krejcikova has had injury trouble stretching back a couple of years and her form can be unpredictable, which is probably why this goes three rather than two. I think she gets through, but it won't be clean.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 3
Lois Boisson vs Dominika Salkova
Head-to-head: Boisson 0-1 Salkova
Boisson is ranked higher here but Salkova already has a win over her, and on clay that matters. Boisson at 46 in the world feels like she should be the favorite on paper, but she hasn't been playing at a level that justifies much confidence and Salkova is a solid clay-court grinder who clearly knows how to handle this matchup.
Salkova wins this one.
Prediction: Salkova in 3
Kaja Juvan vs Moyuka Uchijima
Head-to-head: First meeting
Uchijima is the higher-ranked player and has been quietly putting together some decent results on clay over the last year or so. Juvan is experienced and won't roll over, but there's a gap in consistency between these two right now and I feel like Uchijima's steadiness from the baseline should be enough to come through, all things considered. The slow, wet court, which really does punish players who can't sustain a rally, suits the kind of patient game Uchijima plays.
Prediction: Uchijima in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © PI via ZUMA Press Wire