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Top seed Magda Linette and fourth seed Bernarda Pera will face tricky opposition in the Round of 16 of the 2023 Strasbourg Open on Tuesday.
While Linette will take on Spain's Cristina Bucsa in her opener, Pera will face Kimberly Birrell from Australia. The big-hitting Kaia Kanepi and clay-aficionado Jil Teichmann will also look to extend their stay in Strasbourg as we approach Roland Garros.
Here's a look at what Day 2 at the Strasbourg Open could have in store:
Strasbourg Open: Magda Linette vs Cristina Bucsa
Top seed Magda Linette faces a tricky opening opponent in the form of Cristina Bucsa — the Spaniard who upset Bianca Andreescu during her Australian Open third-round run.
Bucsa plays an aggressive brand of tennis and likes to dictate proceedings using her powerful forehand. However, Bucsa faces a daunting task against Linette, who is a master at absorbing pace and using it against her opponents. In the given conditions, Linette's superior defensive skills and willingness to hold on in rallies should see her come through.
Prediction: Magda Linette to win in three sets
Strasbourg Open: Bernarda Pera vs Kimberly Birrell
Up against Australia's Kimberly Birrell, Bernarda Pera has a great opportunity to reach the quarterfinals. The Aussie has not won back-to-back main draw matches since February and will come into the contest low on confidence.
For Pera, a WTA title winner on clay, the tournament presents an opportunity to rediscover the form that saw her surge to a quarterfinal and the Australian Open third round at the start of the year. Given there aren't too many big names in the draw, Pera will be hoping for a deep run at the Strasbourg Open.
Prediction: Bernarda Pera to win in straight sets
Strasbourg Open: Jil Teichmann vs Emma Navarro
Jil Teichmann had quite a season on red dirt last year, but hasn't been able to replicate those performances this time around. A WTA 125K quarterfinal in Catalonia fades in comparison to her results from 2022 and she will be aware of the same.
Teichmann will face another tough opponent in the form of junior French Open champ, Emma Navarro. That said, Teichmann's topspin-heavy groundstrokes are bound to click sooner than later, and when they do, the Swiss can be a delight to watch on clay.
Prediction: Jil Teichmann to win in three sets
Strasbourg Open: Kaia Kanepi vs Clara Burel
The last Strasbourg Open match-up on the list will put raw power against court craft, as the big-hitting Kaia Kanepi takes on the home hope Clara Burel for a place in the quarterfinals.
Kanepi is one of the most experienced players on the Tour, but her mercurial game makes her difficult to predict. If she's firing on all cylinders, the Estonian can beat anyone in the world. However, Kanepi is also prone to going off-kilter when pitted against a strong defense. It will come down Burel's ability to push her opponent over the edge in this one.
Prediction: Kaia Kanepi to win in three sets
