After an exciting Tuesday of second round matches at the WTA 1000 event in Montreal, the rest of the second round concludes on Wednesday. There are dozens of matches on the cards between the WTA tournament in Montreal, and ATP tournament in Toronto, as LWOT has all the predictions and previews for the excitement ahead. Who will advance?
WTA Day 4 Montreal Predictions
Eva Lys vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Lys won her opening match in Montreal 6-1 6-4 against Leolia Jeanjean, but this is a tough step up for the German. Pavlyuchenkova made the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open in 2016, but hasn’t won a match at the event since 2021. Either way, the Russian’s power and experience should allow her to hit through Lys, despite Lys’ strong baseline game and her rise in the rankings this year.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Jelena Ostapenko vs Renata Zarazúa
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is a toss-up match, because Zarazua’s variety is the kind of game that could easily throw off an up-and-down player such as Ostapenko. Zarazua upset Katie Boulter in her opening match in Montreal, while Ostapenko has a poor 4-8 career record at this tournament. The Mexican No. 1 — who hadn’t beaten a Top 50 player this year prior to this week — will be high on confidence, and I’ll pick the upset as a result. Ostapenko should win the match if she can get off to a strong start with her serve, but I think Zarazua’s energy will make it tough for the higher ranked player.
Prediction: Zarazua in 3
Eugene Bouchard vs Belinda Bencic
Head-to-head: Bencic 3-0
It’s now been 10 years since Bencic won the Canadian Open, albeit when the tournament was in Toronto as the event relocates annually. Bencic should like her chances here after a Wimbledon semifinal run this summer. Bouchard is playing the last tournament of her career, and won in three sets in a tough first round match against Emiliana Arango. Ultimately, Bencic is a bit more consistent on the ground, and she has a reliable serve that should overwhelm Bouchard. Going for a tough two setter in favor of Bencic, despite the pro-Bouchard crowd giving her a lot of support. Bencic notably defeated Bouchard on the way to winning the Canadian Open in 2015.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Madison Keys vs Laura Siegemund
Head-to-head: Siegemund 2-1
This is a tough rematch of a Wimbledon meeting earlier this month, where Siegemund stunned Keys 6-3 6-3 to knock the Australian Open champion out of the tournament before the second week. Siegemund also has a small advantage here having already played in both qualifying a tough first round match against compatriot Tatjana Maria. A refreshed Keys should be the favorite, but Siegemund and her defense has the talent to startle the World No. 8.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
