Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the WTA Cincinnati match.
Veronika Kudermetova returns to Cincinnati, where her best showing so far has been a run to the round of 16. She begins her campaign against Suzan Lamens, who is currently ranked 64th. Both players reached the third round in Montreal last week, but their prospects in Cincinnati differ significantly.
Suzan Lamens
Suzan Lamens has struggled in recent outings against higher-ranked opponents, losing six of her last seven matches against top-50 players. She favours clay courts, and her performance on hard surfaces has been less convincing, with a win rate of just 55% (90–72). Additionally, Lamens lacks familiarity with the conditions in Cincinnati and has never faced Veronika Kudermetova before, which could make it harder for her to adjust to her opponent's style of play.
Veronika Kudermetova
Veronika Kudermetova holds a 22-place advantage over Suzan Lamens in the WTA rankings and is enjoying a consistent season. She has won 18 of her 23 matches this year against lower-ranked opponents and holds an overall hard court record of 15:10. Kudermetova also brings valuable experience from top-tier events and has progressed beyond the first round in six of eight hard court tournaments this season.
Suzan Lamens vs Veronika Kudermetova Prediction
The two players are competing on different levels: Veronika Kudermetova is more experienced and better equipped for success on hard courts. She is expected to get past Suzan Lamens comfortably, covering the game handicap.
