We've got three second-round picks from the Birmingham grass today, and none of them are straightforward. Let's get into it.
WTA Lexus Birmingham Open Predictions
Ashlyn Krueger vs Janice Tjen
Head-to-head: First meeting
Tjen is ranked 40th in the world and that's the obvious starting point, but grass has a way of scrambling rankings more than any other surface. Krueger is an aggressive baseliner who can take the ball early and compress points and that kind of pace-taking tends to translate well on fast courts. Tjen's game is more measured and she can be pushed around when her opponent dictates from the first shot.
It's a tricky opener on a surface where both are still establishing themselves, and I think it goes the distance, but Krueger's more natural aggression gets her over the line.
Prediction: Krueger in 3
Tatjana Maria vs Rebeka Masarova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Maria on grass is just a different proposition altogether. Her slice, her angles, her ability to drag opponents into uncomfortable rhythms, it all becomes twice as effective on a surface that rewards variety. Masarova is a clay-court builder who wants time and likes to construct points from behind the baseline, and that's exactly the kind of player Maria knows how to frustrate here.
Maria wins this, though Masarova has enough firepower to steal a set if things go sideways early.
Prediction: Maria in 3
Mananchaya Sawangkaew vs Kayla Day
Head-to-head: First meeting
Two players outside the top 140 and a first meeting on grass, so there's not a lot to go on here. Sawangkaew is ranked lower but has shown real progress over the past year and her game has the kind of flat, penetrating ball-striking that can be awkward to handle on quick surfaces. That said, Day is a solid competitor but hasn't shown enough on grass to feel confident picking her in a close one.
Prediction: Sawangkaew in 3, all things considered.
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © PI via ZUMA Press Wire