We've got three picks from the Hamburg qualifying today, with mild temperatures and a decent chance of rain keeping things interesting out on the clay. Sherif vs Waltert is the headline here, but the two first meetings are worth a look too.
WTA MSC Hamburg Ladies Open Predictions
Simona Waltert vs Mayar Sherif
Head-to-head: Waltert 1-5 Sherif
Sherif has owned this matchup almost completely, and Waltert's one win is a long time ago now. Sherif is the higher-ranked player and, more to the point, clay is genuinely her best surface. Waltert isn't bad on clay herself, but this head-to-head doesn't lie, and I don't see much reason to think it flips today in a qualifying match.
Prediction: Sherif in 3
Sara Sorribes Tormo vs Alina Charaeva
Head-to-head: First meeting
Sorribes Tormo has dropped to 212 in the rankings and has clearly been going through a rough patch. Charaeva at 117 is the higher-ranked player and, on clay, her game holds up well in long rallies. Sorribes Tormo was once a clay grinder who could frustrate anyone, but right now she's not at a level to rely on that. That said, I think Charaeva gets through, though it likely takes three sets on this surface.
Prediction: Charaeva in 3
Varvara Lepchenko vs Elina Avanesyan
Head-to-head: First meeting
Lepchenko is ranked below 175 but has tons of experience and Avanesyan at 208 is the lower-ranked player here despite being the younger one. On clay, experience counts for a lot in qualifying, and Lepchenko's ability to stay steady in longer matches, especially in the grind of a qualifying draw, should make a real difference. Hard to see Avanesyan troubling her much here, and Lepchenko takes this one comfortably.
Prediction: Lepchenko in 2
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Scott Stuart/ZUMA Press Wire