Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the WTA Cincinnati match.
The Cincinnati opener brings together two players desperate to halt their recent losing streaks. Blinkova has lost four of her last five matches, while Birrell is on a four-match skid herself.
Anna Blinkova
Anna Blinkova is far from her best form and continues to struggle against higher-ranked opponents. Of her last 14 matches against players ranked above her, she’s lost ten. On hard courts this season, she’s suffered eight defeats in 16 outings, with patchy stats to match — just 58% first-serve accuracy and 60% success on first-serve points.
Kimberly Birrell
Kimberly Birrell, meanwhile, hasn’t looked out of her depth despite her recent losses, which came against quality opposition — Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Donna Vekić, and Victoria Mboko. On hard courts in 2025, the Australian has posted a strong 13-7 record. She reached quarter-finals in Brisbane and Singapore and lifted an ITF title in Brisbane. Statistically, Birrell outperforms Blinkova on her first serve — 63% accuracy and 64% conversion — and has notched some impressive wins this year over Emma Navarro, Hailey Baptiste, and Anastasia Potapova, all top-50 WTA players.
Anna Blinkova vs Kimberly Birrell Prediction
Birrell may not be delivering standout results, but she’s consistent over time and solid on hard courts. Blinkova’s dip in form and her difficulties against top opposition make this a challenging fixture for the Russian. Despite being the bookmakers’ favourite, she’s at real risk of slipping up against a composed and capable Birrell.
