Three qualifying round picks from the Berlin grass courts today, and honestly there are some interesting calls in here. The biggest one: Siniakova, ranked 32nd in the world, going down in qualifying. Let's get into it.
WTA Berlin Tennis Open Predictions
Katerina Siniakova vs Yue Yuan
Head-to-head: Siniakova 1-0 Yuan
On paper this looks completely straightforward. Siniakova is ranked 32nd, she's a proven grass-court player, and she leads the head-to-head. But Yuan has been quietly climbing on faster surfaces and grass in particular suits her flat, low-bouncing game nicely. Qualifying can also be a strange beast for higher-ranked players who aren't fully match sharp, and if Siniakova is just here to find some rhythm, Yuan could catch her cold.
This is a genuine upset pick and I won't pretend it's a lock, but Yuan in three feels plausible enough on this surface.
Prediction: Yuan in 3
Diane Parry vs Ella Seidel
Head-to-head: Parry 0-1 Seidel
Seidel actually owns the head-to-head here, so Parry can't just rely on ranking. That said, Parry is a more complete player right now and the grass should reduce some of Seidel's clay-oriented strengths. I feel like the ranking gap tells the real story in the end and Parry won't let this one slip twice.
Prediction: Parry in 3
Maria Timofeeva vs Renata Zarazua
Head-to-head: First meeting
Zarazua is ranked higher but Timofeeva has been the more consistent performer on faster surfaces recently, and grass tends to expose players who rely heavily on heavy topspin to construct points. Zarazua is very much that type. Hard to see this being competitive at all, and Timofeeva should still find a way to get through here, all things considered.
Prediction: Timofeeva in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Rob Prange/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire