Australian Open runner-up Qinwen Zheng’s first match since her shock opening-round defeat at Wimbledon occurs at the WTA Palermo Open. She is the defending champion after defeating the Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini in last year’s final. Zheng’s contest with Sara Errani is one of 11 scheduled for Day 2 in Palermo. We at LWOT have predictions for all the matches, including Peyton Stearns vs Ann Li and Ajla Tomljanovic vs Mayar Sherif. Which players do you think will progress to the next round?
WTA Palermo Day 2 Predictions
Chloe Paquet vs Saisai Zheng
Head-to-head: First meeting
Zheng has played very few singles matches in the last few years, focusing on doubles instead. Her ranking, which is outside the Top 1000, demonstrates that. Paquet reached the third round of the French Open at the end of May. Expect Paquet to triumph in Palermo. Although her form has dipped since her run at Roland-Garros, Zheng is an ideal opening-round opponent due to her lack of match practice on the singles court.
Prediction: Paquet in 2
Diane Parry vs Olivia Gadecki
Head-to-head: First meeting
Parry did not have the clay court season before the French Open that she would have hoped for, although an injury was partially to blame for that. She has a chance to build momentum in Palermo before the Olympics on home soil at Roland-Garros. Gadecki is least comfortable playing on clay, making this an ideal draw for the Frenchwoman. Expect Parry to dictate with her forehand to progress to the next round.
Prediction: Parry in 2
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Erika Andreeva vs Darja Semenistaja
Head-to-head: Andreeva 1-0 Semenistaja
Andreeva easily won the only previous meeting between these two, although that was on a hard court. The 20-year-old also enters this event after claiming her first Grand Slam main draw victory at Wimbledon. Semenistaja is a solid player on clay, and this match will likely be closer than their first meeting. However, Andreeva’s game can also nullify Semenistaja on the dirt, making her the favourite to progress.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Qinwen Zheng vs Sara Errani
Head-to-head: Zheng 1-0 Errani
These two met in the opening round in Palermo last year. Ominously for Errani, Zheng crushed her 6-0 6-0. The veteran Italian has played some good tennis on clay this year, including coming through qualifying to make the French Open second round. Unfortunately, this is just a terrible matchup for her. The faster clay in the hot conditions in Palermo suits Zheng’s game perfectly. Errani may claim a couple of games this time, but it will not get any better than that.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports