The final is set at the fifth edition of WTA Cluj-Napoca – the Transylvania Open in Romania with Anastasia Potapova and Lucia Bronzetti set to battle for the title. Both players have navigated the draw impressively and without losing a set. Top seed Potapova is seeking her third WTA title while Bronzetti will doubtless be eager to win her second. As always, we at LWOT will offer our prediction, but who will lift the trophy?
Head-to-Head: Potapova 4-0 Bronzetti
Anastasia Potapova has lived up to the expectations of a top seed and has been in commanding form all week. In the semifinals, it was not an easy match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich, but Potapova’s aggressive baseline game and impactful serve helped her get out of trouble. The Russian player is in her fifth WTA final and will be the favourite to win her third WTA title and second on indoor courts.
Lucia Bronzetti is into her first hard-court final as Katerina Siniakova had to retire in the first set in the semifinals. This will be Bronzetti’s fourth WTA final and her first without dropping a set en route. Bronzetti has jumped 16 places in the live rankings and a title will get her close to the top 50.
Bronzetti’s strong defense and counterpunching ability contrasts with Potapova’s game but hasn’t helped her much in previous encounters. Potapova has dominated the head-to-head and has beaten the Italian on every surface. Bronzetti has done well on serve this week and will need to have a strong serving day to have a chance to win this. Potapova will dictate most of the rallies and will be the favourite to win them if she keeps her composure. Both players will be determined to lift the Transylvania Open trophy but my prediction leans towards Potapova.
Prediction: Potapova in 3
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