A cool, partially cloudy day in Oeiras sets the scene for the first round of the Jamor Ladies Open, with temperatures sitting around 13°C and barely any rain threat. Three matches to get into today, and none of them look straightforward. Who do you think pulls through?
WTA Oeiras Jamor Ladies Open Predictions
Darja Semenistaja vs Leolia Jeanjean
Head-to-head: Semenistaja 0-1 Jeanjean
Jeanjean leads the head-to-head, which gives her a slight psychological edge, but ranking and recent form both point toward Semenistaja here. The Latvian has been the more consistent player over the past several months and, at 112 in the world, she's simply at a better place in her career right now than Jeanjean, who's been in and out of the top 100 for a couple of years without really cementing herself there.
That said, Jeanjean is a decent clay-court mover and she's beaten Semenistaja before, so this won't be a walk. I think it goes three, but Semenistaja's steadiness from the baseline should be enough to get through.
Prediction: Semenistaja in 3
Moyuka Uchijima vs Carol Young Suh Lee
Head-to-head: First meeting
Uchijima is ranked 85 places above Lee and has been one of the more underrated players on tour this season, quietly putting together solid results without getting a lot of attention. Lee, at 169, is still finding her footing at this level and clay isn't a surface that usually flatters aggressive baseliners who haven't had much time to develop their net game. Uchijima's consistency in long rallies makes her tough to break down on this surface.
Hard to see this being competitive at all, and Lee might nick a few games at best.
Prediction: Uchijima in 3
Whitney Osuigwe vs Darja Vidmanova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Osuigwe was once a highly touted prospect but she's struggled to push past the 150-170 range consistently, and Vidmanova at 114 is the better-ranked player for a reason. The Czech has shown she can be reliable on clay, particularly on the slower outdoor courts in Portugal, and I feel like the ranking gap tells the real story here. Osuigwe could push her, but Vidmanova should have enough to come through in three, all things considered.
Prediction: Vidmanova in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Ivan Terron/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire