A few second round picks from Berlin today, where the grass is starting to sort out who's comfortable on the surface and who isn't. We've got three matches worth talking about, so let's get into it.
WTA Berlin Tennis Open Predictions
Jessica Pegula vs Katerina Siniakova
Head-to-head: Pegula 5-1 Siniakova
That 5-1 record isn't a fluke. Pegula has figured Siniakova out pretty thoroughly at this point and the one loss feels more like an outlier than a trend. Siniakova is a quality player and a former Wimbledon doubles champion, so she's not uncomfortable on grass, but Pegula's consistency from the baseline makes life very difficult for players who rely on variety and touch to create openings.
I think this goes three sets because Siniakova is too good to just fold, but Pegula closes it out.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Madison Keys vs Karolina Muchova
Head-to-head: Keys 2-0 Muchova
Keys has won both meetings so far, but Muchova on grass is a genuinely tricky proposition. Her variety and slice backhand are tailor-made for the surface, and she's been in good form since returning from injury. Keys has the power to hurt anyone, but on grass the points are shorter and there's less time to load up, which takes away some of her biggest advantages.
Muchova in 3 feels right here. The H2H says Keys, but this surface shifts things enough that I wouldn't put much weight on it.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Linda Noskova vs Diane Parry
Head-to-head: Noskova 2-2 Parry
An even H2H makes this look closer than it probably is. Noskova's big serve and flat ball-striking are well suited to grass, and at rank 13 she's clearly the better player right now. That said, Parry has had her moments against Noskova before, so she's not someone you completely write off, but the gap in ranking and form is real.
Noskova should still find a way to get through here, though Parry will make it uncomfortable for a set at least.
Prediction: Noskova in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Marcin Cholewinski/ZUMA Press Wire