On Day 3 of the WTA 250 event in Eastbourne, three past Grand Slam champions are set to compete, including Emma Raducanu, winner of the 2021 US Open, and Jelena Ostapenko, who clinched the title at the 2017 French Open. The excitement of the matches is palpable as fans anticipate thrilling contests featuring these acclaimed athletes.
The day’s predictions include several promising matchups:
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova faces Kimberly Birrell for the first time. Pavlyuchenkova had a challenging opening match against Viktoriya Tomova, winning 9-7 in a deciding set tiebreak, yet she struggles on grass, her least favorable surface. Birrell, on the other hand, has been in formidable form, not dropping a set in her last three matches, including a victory against 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin. Given Pavlyuchenkova’s inconsistency, Birrell is poised for a potential upset, making an exciting prediction for the match: Birrell in three sets.
Next, Peyton Stearns will take on Kamilla Rakhimova, with Stearns having a 1-0 advantage in their head-to-head record. Rakhimova managed to push through her last match in three sets against Elisabetta Cocciaretto, but Stearns possesses the powerful game necessary to win this matchup despite not favoring the grass surface. The prediction leans towards Stearns winning in straight sets.
In a highly anticipated contest, Jelena Ostapenko will go up against Alexandra Eala, who has previously defeated Ostapenko during her remarkable run at the Miami Open. Eala showcased her prowess by losing only one game against Lucia Bronzetti in the earlier round. However, Ostapenko’s lethal flat hitting could prove overwhelming on grass, leading to the prediction of Ostapenko prevailing in two sets.
Finally, the home crowd will rally behind Emma Raducanu as she takes on Maya Joint, with Raducanu holding a slight advantage in their previous meeting. Joint’s impressive performance against Ons Jabeur in the first round has raised expectations. Raducanu, buoyed by the crowd’s support after a comeback win against Ann Li, is expected to thrive, making the prediction Raducanu will win in three sets.
As the tournament progresses, these matches promise not just fierce competition but also the potential for memorable moments in front of an enthusiastic audience. The atmosphere at Eastbourne is charged with excitement, and many are hoping for thrilling performances from all the players involved.