Qualifying gets underway in Sao Paulo, though the weather isn't doing anyone any favors, with rain and overcast skies making conditions tricky out there. We've got three picks from the first round of qualifying to break down.
WTA SP Open - Sao Paulo Predictions
Chloe Paquet vs Martina Capurro Taborda
Head-to-head: First meeting
Taborda is the higher-ranked player here and she's got home crowd energy on her side as an Argentine, which counts for something in South America. Paquet has been floating around the 280-300 range for a while now without making much noise, and there's nothing in her recent record to suggest she travels well to this part of the world. On a slow outdoor hard court in humid conditions, Taborda's consistency should be enough to see her through, all things considered.
Prediction: Taborda in 3
Justina Mikulskyte vs Antonia Vergara Rivera
Head-to-head: First meeting
Mikulskyte comes in ranked about 140 spots above Vergara Rivera, and that gap is pretty meaningful at this level. The Lithuanian has been a solid qualifier presence on tour and knows how to handle the pressure of these early rounds. That said, Vergara Rivera is young and this surface could suit her, but I think the ranking difference tells the real story here and Mikulskyte gets through, even if it takes three sets.
Prediction: Mikulskyte in 3
Victoria Bosio vs Lizette Cabrera
Head-to-head: First meeting
Cabrera is the more experienced player and has spent time competing at a consistently higher level than Bosio, who at 323 in the world, still well outside the top 300, is still finding her footing on tour. Hard to see this being competitive at all. The Australian has hard court results to point to and Bosio's ranking suggests she hasn't broken through in a meaningful way yet. Cabrera takes this one.
Prediction: Cabrera in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Christopher Levy/ZUMA Press Wire