Plenty of American hopes kick off their WTA Auckland campaign on Tuesday, including No. 1 seed Madison Keys and No. 3 seed Amanda Anisimova. 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin kicks off the action on Stadium Court against Xiyu Wang. Who do you think will advance to the next stage of the event?

WTA Auckland Day 2 Predictions

Sofia Kenin vs Xiyu Wang

Head-to-head: First meeting

Sofia Kenin had one of the most puzzling 2024 campaigns with plenty of memorable high points overlapping with even bigger losing streaks. The American found one of the better runs at the very end of the season with the final in Tokyo and a quarterfinal in Hong Kong in back-to-back weeks. There’s no telling how she might start the next season, but for what it’s worth she’s always been pretty solid at this venue. Maybe she’s due for some consistency.
Prediction: Kenin in 3

Greet Minnen vs Anna-Lena Friedsam

Head-to-head: Friedsam 1-0

Anna-Lena Friedsam was able to take down Greet Minnen in the qualifying for Linz about a year ago, but then suffered a heavy fall in the rankings due to an injury. The German is a veteran of the game though and knows how to apply her skillset to make it tricky for the opponents, particularly on faster courts. Minnen is still the favorite and has the aggressive forehand ball-striking to lead the way here, but Friedsam already having two matches under her belt in 2024 could also be a tiny advantage.
Prediction: Minnen in 3

Alycia Parks vs Amanda Anisimova

Head-to-head: First meeting

As usual, Alycia Parks was a star in the indoor WTA 125 events late in the year, taking the title in Angers. The American’s balls-to-the-wall aggression is very often a double-edged sword, but it can be deadly if the conditions support her game. On the other side of the net will be the ever-dangerous Amanda Anisimova, who’s expected to have a big rise again if she can just stay healthy. Anisimova’s just a lot more versatile as a player, but Parks plays almost any match on her own terms.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3

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Madison Keys vs Lucia Bronzetti

Head-to-head: Keys 1-0

Madison Keys had a solid campaign in 2024, but it still felt like she had the level for a deep Grand Slam run and it just didn’t come together. Now the task will be to kick off the next season well and Lucia Bronzetti can be a slightly uncomfortable opponent with just how rock-solid the Italian tends to be. Keys already beat her in January two years ago at the United Cup and if she gets going, there’s not much the Italian will be able to do.
Prediction: Keys in 2

Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports