Cincinnati Open 2024 Day 4: Women's singles predictions ft. Jasmine Paolini vs Anastasia Potapova

Players will aim to reach the third round on Day 4 of the Cincinnati Open 2024 on Thursday, August 15. A few second-round matches were contested on Wednesday, with World No. 1 Iga Swiatek being one of the victors.

Swiatek claimed the first set 6-0 against Varvara Gracheva and was on course for a routine win when her opponent switched gears. The latter saved five match points to force a third set, in which the top seed restored order for a 6-0, 6-7 (8), 6-2 win.

Emma Navarro and Beatriz Haddad Maia were the only seeded players to lose on Wednesday, going down to Mirra Andreeva and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova respectively.

Leylah Fernandez, Marta Kostyuk, and former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki were among the other winners of the day. As more players seek to join them in the third round, here's a look at the predictions for some of the matches lined up on Day 4 of the Cincinnati Open:

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#1 - Jasmine Paolini vs Anastasia Potapova

This has been a breakthrough season for Paolini in many ways. She captured her maiden WTA 1000 title in Dubai, and then reached her first Grand Slam final in singles and doubles at the French Open, losing both.

The Italian also finished as the runner-up at Wimbledon and won the gold medal in women's doubles with Sara Errani at the Paris Olympics. Her results this year have helped her crack the top 10 of the WTA rankings, peaking at No. 5 so far.

Paolini received a first-round bye at the Cincinnati Open as one of the top eight seeds. Potapova, meanwhile, began her campaign with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 win over Clara Burel in the first round, and snapped her five-match losing streak.

Potapova won her previous and only encounter against Paolini at this year's Indian Wells Open in three sets. However, the latter has only improved since then, while the former has blown hot and cold throughout the season. The Italian's consistent results make her the favorite to come out on top in this duel.

Predicted winner: Jasmine Paolini

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#2 - Elina Svitolina vs Jessica Bouzas Manerino

Elina Svitolina at the Cincinnati Open 2024. (Photo: Getty)

Svitolina rallied from a set down to beat qualifier Wang Yafan 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 in the first round of the Cincinnati Open. Bouzas Maneiro initially fell in the qualifying rounds to Magdalena Frech but got a second lease on life as a lucky loser and found a place in the main draw.

The Spaniard faced another lucky loser, Lucia Bronzetti, in the first round, and beat her 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (1). It marked her first win at the venue, and her second at the WTA 1000 level.

Svitolina is a former semifinalist at the Cincinnati Open, making the last four back in 2015. She also reached the quarterfinals on two other occasions. Despite her opponent's lack of big results, the Ukrainian will be cautious of her.

Bouzas Maneiro stunned defending champion Marketa Vondrousova in the first round of Wimbledon a few weeks ago. She also scored a win over Paula Badosa at the Madrid Open.

However, Bouzas Maneiro is yet to prove herself on hardcourts. Svitolina has suffered some early losses this year but she should be able to handle the Spaniard to advance further.

Predicted winner: Elina Svitolina

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#3 - Diana Shnaider vs Ashlyn Krueger

Shnaider commenced her Cincinnati Open run with a 6-1, 6-4 over Zhang Shuai. The latter slumped to her 22nd consecutive loss, setting the record for most defeats in a row in the Open Era. The Russian also won her first-round match in doubles.

Krueger has been on a roll here. She came through the qualifying rounds with wins over Moyuka Uchijima and four-time Major champion Naomi Osaka. She was up against Donna Vekic in the first round, who bagged the silver medal at the Paris Olympics. She overcame a one-set deficit to beat Vekic 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-2.

Both Shnaider and Krueger made winning debuts at the Cincinnati Open. The Russian reached the semifinals of the Canadian Open a few days ago, her first at the WTA 1000 level. She has been in good form throughout the season and has already won three titles this year.

Krueger has been making progress this season as well, though she's considerably behind when compared to Shnaider. While the American has given a good account of herself here, the Russian's current form makes her the favorite to continue her journey in Cincinnati.

Predicted winner: Diana Shnaider