It’s the last call if you want to get some Wimbledon preparation in. The main draw action at WTA Bad Homburg kicks off on Monday, with Caroline Wozniacki and Elina Svitolina being the blockbuster of two former greats trying to make it back to the top of the game. Who do you think will come out on top?
WTA Bad Homburg Day 1 Predictions
Taylor Townsend vs Linda Noskova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Taylor Townsend missed the French Open due to injury, and her performance in the qualifying kind of makes you question if she’s back fit already. The American ended up claiming just three games against Viktoriya Tomova despite the grass seemingly suiting her style so well. Either way, she made it in as a lucky loser, but it’s likely the end of the road. Linda Noskova likes lower-bouncing courts as well and is coming off a strong showing in Berlin (beat Angelique Kerber, took a set off Ons Jabeur).
Prediction: Noskova in 2
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Tamara Korpatsch
Head-to-head: Haddad Maia 3-0
They haven’t played each other since 2016, when Beatriz Haddad Maia won all three matches years back. Since then, she’s taken her game to a completely new level, while Tamara Korpatsch is closer to the bottom of the Top 100 than the top of it. The German has a pretty poor record on grass, including three losses this year already. Haddad Maia looks like the clear favorite here after Korpatsch won just two games in the last two sets against Lucia Bronzetti in the qualifying.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
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Katerina Siniakova vs Clara Burel
Head-to-head: Burel 1-0
Katerina Siniakova was a rather unexpected champion in Bad Homburg last year, but the Czech took apart the field, losing just one set. Grass is a surface that allows her to use some of her doubles pedigree, and she made it work in Berlin last week as well. She qualified for the main draw and reached the quarterfinals, taking a set off eventual champion Jessica Pegula. Even though Siniakova lost to Clara Burel in Linz this year already, she’s the favorite of their clash here.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Caroline Wozniacki vs Elina Svitolina
Head-to-head: Svitolian 5-1
Two players whose comebacks are getting a bit less traction than last year, but at least Elina Svitolina is firmly among the top players in the world. Caroline Wozniacki has been barely winning matches since Indian Wells and took the whole May off before losing to Elise Mertens in Berlin. Given their head-to-head and how good Svitolina was on grass last year, it’s hard not to like her chances to penetrate the court with flatter shots and take down Wozniacki.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports