The final second round matches on the women’s side take place in Washington today, and unfortunately there are only three women’s singles matches following the withdrawal of defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova from her match against Sloane Stephens. Here are my picks for the remaining three matches!
Ekaterina Makarova vs Naomi Broady
There is one Brit left in action but it is likely that it is not the one people expected, as qualifier and world No. 212 Naomi saved a match point to stun Jarmila Gajdosova 3-6 7-5 7-6. Broady has been rewarded for her incredible effort with a match against top seed and world No.12 Ekaterina Makarova. The Russian started the season well, reaching the semi-finals at the Australian Open, but hasn’t played her best tennis since and lost early at Wimbledon. However you would have to expect Makarova to beat someone 200 places lower than her, though if Broady can serve as well as she did on Tuesday (She hit an incredible 19 aces) she can give herself a fighting chance.
Prediction: Makarova in 2
Belinda Bencic vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
3rd seed Belinda Bencic has a potentially difficult second round against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The 24 year old Russian hasn’t had a great year but is a former world No. 12 and seven-time title winner on the WTA tour, and many believe that she could be a threat for slams if she could get consistency. However it is Bencic who is consistent at the moment having won Eastbourne and made the fourth round of Wimbledon, before a 7-5 6-4 win over Tereza Smitkova. If Bencic plays at her best she should win though if Pavlyuchenkova plays at her best she could push, maybe even beat, the world No. 18.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Yulia Putintseva vs Christina Mchale
Both these women came through three-setters to set up their second round encounter; Mchale saw off fellow American Coco Vandeweghe 6-2 4-6 6-4 whilst Putintseva rallied from a break down in the final set to battle past Kurumi Nara 4-6 6-4 7-6. Both Mchale and Putintseva will be well rested after not having to play on Wednesday, and it will be interesting to see who comes out and plays their best tennis early on in the match. Putintseva is fiery and won their only previous meeting. However that was over two years ago and Mchale has the advantage of having a home crowd- It will certainly be intense!
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Also in action
The is a Russia vs UK battle in the doubles, as Alla Kudryavtseva and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova face Jocelyn Rae and Anna Smith. Irina Falconi and Monica Nicelescu also face off against Chia-Jung Chuang and Chen Liang.
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