WTA Madrid Day 1 Predictions Including Petra Kvitova vs Katie Volynets

The WTA Mutua Madrid Open is the first WTA 1000 tournament on clay of this season, and the draw is stacked as expected. Madrid’s high altitude brings a different challenge for players, making this event super exciting. This article features three-time champion Petra Kvitova, who will take on Katie Volynets.

WTA Madrid Day 1 Predictions

Renata Zarazua vs Marie Bouzkova

Head-to-Head: Zarazua 0-1 Bouzkova

Renata Zarazua will make her Madrid Open debut and will look to end her five-match losing streak in all competitions. Zarazua was on the verge of entering the top 50 towards the end of last season, but she couldn’t get any runs this season to make it happen. Marie Bouzkova has already made a quarterfinal on this surface this season and will go into this match as the favourite. These two met six years ago on hard courts, where Bouzkova got the better of the Mexican player. I expect the same outcome.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3

Alexandra Eala vs Viktoriya Tomova

Head-to-Head: first meeting

19-year-old Alexandra Eala will play her first Tour-level match on clay this season. Eala has played and won a match in Madrid before, so this won’t be a new experience for her, and the high altitude should suit her game. Viktoriya Tomova is the more experienced player, but her form is not great coming into this match, and she has never won a match at the Madrid Open. If Eala adapts to the conditions quickly, she should win the match.
Prediction: Eala in 3

Sorana Cirstea vs Hailey Baptiste

Head-to-Head: first meeting

Sorana Cirstea will make her 14th main draw appearance at the Madrid Open. Although this has never been her most successful competition, she has gained a great deal of experience playing here over the years. Cirstea has played some good tennis this season and will hope to win some matches this week and improve her ranking. Hailey Baptiste is enjoying the best season of her career on the WTA Tour and has already played a couple of matches on clay this season. This could be anyone’s match, but I am backing Cirstea due to her vast experience.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3

Petra Kvitova vs Katie Volynets

Head-to-Head: first meeting

Even though Petra Kvitova hasn’t won a match since her comeback to tennis, the 35-year-old would feel at home playing in Madrid. The Madrid Open is one of her most successful tournaments, and the conditions here complement her attacking game beautifully. Katie Volynets recently reached the final of a WTA 125 tournament and should be feeling good about her game on clay. However, the conditions in Madrid are different, and she has never won a match here. Kvitova might not play at her best level, but anything close to it should be enough to get the win.
Prediction: Kvitova in 3