Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the WTA Washington match.
This will be the first official match in a month for Anastasia Potapova, who returns to competition while adjusting to both a surface change and the acclimatisation process in North America. Her opponent, Victoria Mboko, has made notable progress this season and has already broken into the top 100.
Anastasia Potapova
Anastasia Potapova enters the tournament short on match fitness and with a disappointing recent run—three defeats in her last five matches. The lack of rhythm, combined with the surface switch, could hinder her performance. Long-distance travel also complicates physical recovery, and her first-round opponent presents a serious challenge.
Victoria Mboko
Victoria Mboko is in the best form of her career, winning eight of her last 11 matches and climbing from outside the top 400 to world No. 88. At Wimbledon, she defeated Magdalena Fręch, a top-30 player, and prior to that, she secured five ITF titles. The Canadian is serving well, averaging four aces per match this season. Her win rate on hard courts stands at an impressive 71% (41:16), compared to Potapova’s 53% (103:90).
Anastasia Potapova vs Victoria Mboko Prediction
Victoria Mboko carries strong momentum into this fixture and is well-positioned to exploit her opponent’s lack of preparation, particularly on a quicker surface. Despite having fewer matches under her belt on hard courts, she has shown composure and consistency.
