A few picks from the third round of the WTA Cincinnati Open today, and there's some interesting matchups to dig into. Let's get into it.
WTA Cincinnati Open Predictions
Emma Navarro vs Jessica Pegula
Head-to-head: Navarro 0-3 Pegula
Pegula owns this matchup completely, and there's no real reason to think Navarro changes that here. All three of those H2H wins have come on hard courts, which is exactly what they're playing on now, so the surface gives Navarro no help at all. Pegula's ball-striking on hard courts is about as clean as anyone outside the top few and she tends to hit through Navarro before the rallies get complicated.
Navarro is a solid player and has had a decent season, but 0-3 against someone you're about to face in a Masters third round is a tough spot mentally. Hard to see this being competitive at all, with Pegula winning probably in three just because Navarro will compete, but the outcome feels pretty settled.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Cori Gauff vs Ann Li
Head-to-head: First meeting
First meeting between these two, which makes this one a little harder to read. Gauff is the clear favorite on paper and has been one of the most consistent players on the hard court swing, and Li at 29 in the rankings is a solid opponent but probably not the kind of player who troubles Gauff on a fast indoor-style hard court like Cincinnati. That said, first meetings can go sideways, and Li has nothing to lose here.
Prediction: Golubic in 3
Diana Shnaider vs Maja Chwalinska
Head-to-head: Shnaider 1-1 Chwalinska
Even at 1-1, this one feels like Shnaider's match to lose. She's got more power and more upside on hard courts, and Chwalinska at 23 in the rankings, who has put together a nice run this tournament, hasn't faced many players with Shnaider's kind of ball speed on this surface. Shnaider can be a little streaky and gave away the last meeting, so I think it goes three, but she should have enough to come through, all things considered.
Prediction: Shnaider in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Rob Prange/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire