Karolina Muchova is seeded second at the WTA 250 in Palermo and should be among the most exciting players in the field. The Czech missed nine months of tennis and this will be just her third tournament of 2024, after Eastbourne and Wimbledon on grass. On Monday, she’s facing qualifier Katarzyna Kawa in the second match on Center Court. Who do you think will prevail?
WTA Palermo Day 1 Predictions
Jil Teichmann vs Mia Ristic
Head-to-head: First meeting
18-year-old Mia Ristic also qualified for this event last year, losing to Dayana Yastremska in the opening round. While not easy, her campaign this time was a little shorter on thrillers and she should have more energy left for this match. But nonetheless, Jil Teichmann will be the favorite here. The Swiss has fallen off in the rankings since her days inside the Top 30, but she’s getting some match rhythm now and has that lefty topspin forehand that cooperates beautifully with this surface.
Prediction: Teichmann in 2
Anna Blinkova vs Astra Sharma
Head-to-head: Sharma 1-0
Astra Sharma had her five minutes a few years ago and it was more or less around that time that she also defeated Anna Blinkova in the opening round at the French Open. The Australian’s career has stagnated since though and she’s been losing in the opening rounds a lot this year. Last week she went down to Martina Trevisan in Bastad, a loss that looks much better in hindsight with the Italian winning the whole event. She’s not high on confidence, but that match was close and maybe Sharma can post an important win over someone similarly out of rhythm here.
Prediction: Sharma in 3
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Irina-Camelia Begu vs Marina Bassols Ribera
Head-to-head: Begu 1-0
They met in the opening round of this event two years ago with Irina-Camelia Begu prevailing in three sets. The Romanian went on to win the title that year, but this time it feels like she’s still recovering her form after starting the season at the end of March due to injury. Especially on clay she’s looked really solid though, making runs at Rome or at Roland Garros. She should be able to take down Marina Bassols Ribera again.
Prediction: Begu in 2
Noma Noha Akugue vs Mona Barthel
Head-to-head: First meeting
It’s been almost a year since Noma Noha Akugue’s breakout run in Hamburg and the 20-year-old doesn’t seem to be any closer to finding more regulation in her power-hitting game. Maybe knowing that she’s going to have to defend these points soon can give her some motivation as she looked solid in the qualifying here. Facing the veteran Mona Barthel is not a bad opportunity for the youngster, but someone with this much experience can also expose some of her weaknesses.
Prediction: Barthel in 3
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Karolina Muchova vs Katarzyna Kawa
Head-to-head: Muchova 1-0
Karolina Muchova will be one of the players to watch in the upcoming months and hopefully her wrist issues are long gone by now. Last year’s Roland Garros finalist has only just returned to the courts and has only played three matches in 2024 so far. But if she’s anywhere close to her best, she should be among the favorites in Palermo. It doesn’t seem like Katarzyna Kawa should be able to present much danger to the former World No. 8.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports