After two days of no play, the skies cleared at the WTA Chennai Open, and all of the first-round matches concluded. This article features top seed Zeynep Sonmez, who will take on Lanlana Tararudee of Thailand. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate, but who will advance?
WTA Chennai Day 4 Predictions
Polina Iatcenko vs Katarzyna Kawa
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Many players retired due to heat and humidity on Day 3, and Polina Iatcenko’s opponent was one of them who couldn’t continue into the second set. This gave Iatcenko her first-ever tour-level win, and she would be confident going forward. Katarzyna Kawa upset the #5 seed Lucia Bronzetti from a set down and got her first tour-level win since March. Kawa saved a lot of break points and never let Bronzetti come back in the match. However, Iatchenko spent less time on court and will have the advantage in these conditions.
Prediction: Iatcenko in 3
Joanna Garland vs Mei Yamaguchi
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Joanna Garland got a good win in the first round over Arianne Hartono. This was her second tour-level win and first outside of Grand Slams. Mei Yamaguchi benefited from her opponent’s retirement in the third set to get her first tour-level win. Yamaguchi is playing well here and can give Garland a stern test. However, Garland has been the better player this season and should win this.
Prediction: Garland in 3
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Kimberly Birrell vs Shrivalli Bhamidipaty
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Kimberly Birrell started slowly against Nikola Bartunkova in the first round, but once she got her rhythm, there was no turning back. She has a good draw and will fancy her chances to make a deep run if she can play at her best. Shrivalli Bhamidipaty defeated her younger compatriot in the first round to get her first-ever tour-level win. It was a huge moment for the 23-year-old, but she will face a much tougher challenge against Birrell. I expect the Australian player to come through.
Prediction: Birrell in 2
Zeynep Sonmez vs Lanlana Tararudee
Head-to-Head: first meeting
The top seed, Zeynep Sonmez, is one of the favourites to win the title this week, and she has started solidly with a straight-sets win in the first round. She has much more experience at this level than Lanlana Tararudee, who got her first tour-level win of the season in the first round. I am going for a comfortable win for Sonmez.
Prediction: Sonmez in 2
Main Photo Credit: Eric Bolte – Imagn Images
