Day 1 at the WTA Tennis in the Land in Cleveland features some impressive matches to look forward to. Anna Karolina Schmiedlova almost became a national hero at the Olympics, finding herself in the Medal Zone but leaving empty-handed. In her first match since, she’s going to take on the youngster Clara Tauson. Can the Slovak build up on her brilliant displays from Paris? Who do you think will prevail? We also predict the rest of the day’s matches, split between two articles. One features Anastasia Potapova vs Diane Parry and the other highlights Sofia Kenin vs Katie Volynets.

WTA Cleveland Day 1 Predictions

Arantxa Rus vs Lucia Bronzetti

Head-to-head: Rus 1-0

Arantxa Rus did grab some decent hard-court results at the beginning of the season, but almost everything about the Dutchwoman’s game is set up for good performances on clay. She’s going to have to produce right away to keep herself from falling into the same trap as last year–a losing streak after peaking in the European summer on the dirt. Unfortunately for her, Lucia Bronzetti probably has enough weight of shot and sustained hitting to keep Rus on her toes on hard courts.
Prediction: Bronzetti in 2

Viktoriya Tomova vs Lauren Davis

Head-to-head: Davis 3-1

Lauren Davis is out of the Top 400 by now with just three wins in nine events this season. She hasn’t found returning from injury all that easy and at this stage of her career, it seems very likely we’ve already seen the best of the American’s game. Viktoriya Tomova doesn’t have a high ceiling despite breaking the Top 50 of late and certainly isn’t impenetrable. But she’s been playing the entire season and should have a bit too much for Davis at this point.
Prediction: Tomova in 3

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Anna Karolina Schmiedlova vs Clara Tauson

Head-to-head: First meeting

It was a bittersweet adventure for Anna Karolina Schmiedlova at the Olympics as while the Slovak failed to bring a medal, it was still probably the best week of her career as she finished in 4th place. Now she’s back after a couple of weeks of rest to play the ever-dangerous Clara Tauson. The Dane is barely fit, but her easy power would be way too much for Schmiedlova if she’s healthy. Let’s assume she might be and this would be the perfect time to break her losing streak.
Prediction: Tauson in 3

Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports