Predicted Winners in BOLD
[WC] Caroline Garcia (FRA) vs. Barbora Strycova (CZE) – This is a high quality match. I think it could go either way, but I had to pick someone.
[13] Samantha Stosur (AUS) vs. Heather Watson (GBR) – If this match were in a later round, I’d probably pick Watson. I think Stosur is match tough from her stint in DC and will come through.
[12] Petra Kvitova (CZE) vs. [Q] Magda Linette (POL) – Kvitova is an enigma. It is hard to imagine her being seeded 12th, but that is the reality.
[WC] Françoise Abanda (CAN) vs. [Q] Saisai Zheng (CHN) – Zheng being match tough from the qualifying rounds will hurt the wild card.
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) vs. Madison Brengle (USA) – Makarova should advance.
[17] Elina Svitolina (UKR) vs. [Q] Jennifer Brady (USA) – Svitolina has a lot of talent. Will she be in the top 10 by the end of the year?
Sloane Stephens (USA) vs. [Q] Camila Giorgi (ITA) – Sloane’s play in DC was poor.
Monica Puig (PUR) vs. [Q] Naomi Broady (GBR) – I love Puig’s hustle on the court.
Daria Gavrilova (AUS) vs. Annika Beck (GER) – This should be an excellent match. I expect it to go 3 sets.
Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) vs. [Q] Nao Hibino (GBR) – One for the veteran?