WTA Eastbourne Day 2 Predictions Including Jelena Ostapenko vs Sonay Kartal

There should be plenty of entertaining tennis on day two at the WTA Eastbourne International with a number of star names set to take to the court as they search for form ahead of Wimbledon which gets underway next week. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate on day two, including Sofia Kenin vs Kimberly Birrell. But who will reach the second round in East Sussex?

WTA Eastbourne Day 2 Predictions

Varvara Gracheva vs Camila Osorio

Head-to-head: Osorio 2-0 Gracheva

Camila Osorio might be the far higher ranked player of the two, but on grass their level is far closer than on other surfaces – particularly the clay where Osorio plays her best tennis. Vavara Gracheva fought her way through qualifying to get to this stage with hard-fought wins over Caroline Dolehide and Viktoria Golubic, whereas Osorio will be playing her first match on grass this year. Given the circumstances and their respective levels of match practice, this is an excellent chance for Gracheva to get her first ever win in this matchup.

Magda Linette vs Dayana Yastremska

Head-to-head: Yastremska 5-1 Linette

On paper, this is a very difficult match to call with both players operating at a similar level at the moment, which is reflected in their relatively similar rankings. That said, Dayana Yastremska has clearly had Magda Linette’s number so far and comes into this match fresh from a run to the final in Nottingham. That suggests that not only does this match-up suit the Ukrainian, but also that she has developed a mental edge. In the key moments of what is very likely to be a very close match, that may well make the difference.

Jelena Ostapenko vs Sonay Kartal

Head-to-head: first meeting

While Jelena Ostapenko’s peak level is clearly superior here, she is also one of the most inconsistent players on tour. Sonay Kartal is also a player who is comfortable playing on grass and who will have the support of the home crowd here. As a result, the matchup is much closer than what their respective rankings and resumes would suggest. Kartal could well score an upset win here if she can execute well in the big points of what promises to be a close contest.

Prediction: Kartal in 3