A few interesting first-round picks from the WTA Berlin Open on grass, and honestly there are some tricky calls in here. Let's get into it.
WTA Berlin Tennis Open Predictions
Aryna Sabalenka vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 4-4 Alexandrova
That 4-4 record is one of the more surprising rivalries on tour when you think about it. Alexandrova is a solid player but Sabalenka is the world number one, and yet they've been completely even across eight matches. On grass, though, Sabalenka is a different animal. Her serve and flat ball-striking are tailor-made for the surface and Alexandrova has never done anything special at the grass events.
I think Sabalenka gets through this, but don't be shocked if it stretches to three. Alexandrova is consistent enough to steal a set, especially in a first-round match where Sabalenka might need some time to find her footing.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Madison Keys vs Karolina Muchova
Head-to-head: Keys 2-0 Muchova
Keys has won both previous meetings, but Muchova on grass is a completely different proposition. Her variety and touch are perfectly suited to the surface, and grass tends to neutralize the kind of power Keys relies on by keeping the ball low and skiddy. Muchova's game was built for this.
Hard to see Keys being competitive here at all. That 2-0 record is worth something, but the surface feels like it tilts things decisively toward Muchova here.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Jessica Pegula vs Katerina Siniakova
Head-to-head: Pegula 5-1 Siniakova
So this is the one I feel least sure about. Pegula leads the head-to-head by a mile in most conditions, but Siniakova is a two-time Wimbledon doubles champion who is genuinely comfortable on grass in a way that Pegula just isn't. That one Siniakova win in the series came on, you guessed it, grass. Pegula's heavy topspin game tends to sit up on this surface and Siniakova has the hands and net game to punish that.
That said, the H2H screams Pegula, but the surface says otherwise, and I'll trust the surface on this one, all things considered.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
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