WTA Cincinnati Day 5 Predictions Including Iga Swiatek vs Marta Kostyuk

Eight more players can punch their ticket in the last 16 at WTA Cincinnati as the star names are taking to the courts in Ohio. As ever, here at LWOT will be  offering our predictions for every match on the slate Aryna Sabalenka vs Emma Raducanu. But who will book their spot in the second round?

WTA Cincinnati Day 5 Predictions

Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Maya Joint

Head-to-head: first meeting

Maja Joint is having a breakout season with two titles already and is the frontrunner to be named the WTA Newcomer of the Year. She did play the US Open last year from qualifying, but this is her first real experience of North American hard courts. And the 19-year-old is making one final move to try and achieve a seeding spot in New York, and so far, she’s getting wins on the board. Ekaterina Alexandrova, however, will bring proven power to hurt the young Australian in a baseline battle.

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro vs Taylor Townsend

Head-to-head: Bouzas Maneiro 1-0 Townsend

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro continues to thrive as an underdog, ending Venus Williams’ interest in this tournament at the first hurdle and following it up with a shock second-round win against Washington champion Leylah Fernandez. Taylor Townsend is also having a wonderful tournament, having accounted for wins over Danielle Collins and Liudmila Samsonova. She is exactly the type of player who might have the solution to the Spaniard’s heavy forehand. The American’s serve variation and net skills might be needed in adequate supply to drag Bouzas Maneiro out of her comfort zone, but this will be close.

Prediction: Townsend in 3

Sorana Cirstea vs Yuan Yue

Head-to-head: first meeting

Sorana Cirstea has previously stated that this could be her last season on tour. But if the Romanian continues to pull off three-set wins against higher-ranked opponents, then she might need to reconsider her plans. It was evident from beating Donna Vekic and Magdalena Frech that Cirstea can still play at the highest level and get results. She is now within one win of the last 16 in Cincinnati, which has been one of her least successful tournaments. Cirstea should be the slight favourite in this one, but Yuan Yue is confident enough after her mammoth win over Diana Shnaider to bag a set.

Iga Swiatek vs Marta Kostyuk

Head-to-head: Swiatek 3-0 Kostyuk

Marta Kostyuk has found momentum after a poor run of form. After a six-match losing streak, the Ukrainian has won four of her last five, with the only loss coming via retirement in Montreal and dismissed Tatjana Maria 6-0 6-1 to start her WTA Cincinnati campaign with a routine win. However, it was in this very tournament last season that Kostyuk lost to Iga Swiatek for the third time in as many meetings. The Pole’s relentless baseline pressure tends to overwhelm Kostyuk and Swiatek should once again have the beating of Kostyuk.

Prediction: Swiatek in 2