A couple of qualifying matches to get into from Figueira da Foz today, with pleasant conditions on the Portuguese coast and two matchups that are closer than the rankings suggest. Who do you think comes through?
WTA Ladies Open - Figueira da Foz Predictions
Whitney Osuigwe vs Angelina Voloshchuk
Head-to-head: First meeting
Osuigwe has had a frustrating career arc, someone who was tipped for big things as a junior and has spent years trying to find consistency at the senior level. At #183, she's the higher-ranked player here by a wide margin and should have enough to get through on this surface, all things considered. That said, Voloshchuk is a decent hard-court grinder and qualifying rounds on this tour have a way of being messier than you'd expect.
I think this one goes three sets, with Osuigwe's experience at this level being the difference late on.
Prediction: Osuigwe in 3
Ayla Aksu vs Ana Sofia Sanchez
Head-to-head: First meeting
These two are essentially neck and neck in the rankings, just four spots apart, and neither has been making serious noise on tour recently. Aksu is a young Turkish player still finding her footing at this level and Sanchez is a veteran of the lower tiers of the WTA, so there's an interesting contrast in experience here. Hard to call with confidence, but Aksu's upside feels like the right bet.
Aksu in three, though Sanchez won't make it easy.
Prediction: Aksu in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Rob Prange/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire