Three third-round picks from the WTA Canadian Open in Montreal today, and there's a big one to start things off. Can Ann Li actually take down the second seed? We've got our predictions below.
WTA Canadian Open Predictions
Ann Li vs Elena Rybakina
Head-to-head: First meeting
Rybakina is one of the best hard-court players in the world and has been for a couple of years now, so picking against her in the third round of a Masters event feels uncomfortable. But Li has been playing some genuinely good tennis lately and on a fast hard court her flat, direct hitting can cause real problems, even for top-ten opponents. Rybakina's serve is always a factor, and Li will have to weather some storms, but she's become good at not panicking when things get difficult in a set.
This is the kind of match where one break either way decides a set, and in a three-setter anything can happen. I think Li edges through in what should be a wild match.
Prediction: Li in 3
Marta Kostyuk vs Madison Keys
Head-to-head: Kostyuk 0-2 Keys
Keys has won both previous meetings, but Kostyuk has been playing much better tennis this year and the rankings gap between them has closed considerably. Keys is dangerous when she's hitting clean but she can be streaky and Kostyuk is patient enough to stay in rallies until the errors come. Hard courts suit both of them, so this one really does come down to who's feeling it on the day.
Kostyuk finally turns it around in this rivalry.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3
Elina Svitolina vs Anastasia Potapova
Head-to-head: Svitolina 1-0 Potapova
Potapova can be a handful on hard courts and she's had some good results this season, but Svitolina's defensive game and ability to drag players into long, uncomfortable rallies makes her a tough out for someone who relies on clean winners. That said, Svitolina is also the more experienced player at this level, by a considerable margin, and that tends to show in the tight moments. I feel like this goes three sets but Svitolina should still find a way to get through here, all things considered.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Leonardo Ramirez/eyepix via ZUMA Press Wire