Thursday tennis acca: Andorra and Argentina Open picks as Clara Tauson looks for repeat

The WTA 125 circuit continues right through until the start of the 2024 season and offers players a great chance to build momentum to carry into the new term.

There are players with intriguing prospects in action indoors in Andorra and on the clay in Buenos Aires.

Here, we make our picks for the WTA 125 events in Andorra and Buenos Aires on Thursday.

 

WTA Andorra: Anatasija Sevastova vs Dayana Yastremska | Pick: Yastremska

WTA Andorra: Katarzyna Kawa vs Clara Tauson | Pick: Tauson

WTA Buenos Aires: Renata Zarazua vs Luisina Giovannini | Pick: Zarazua

WTA Buenos Aires: Solana Sierra vs Robin Montgomery | Pick: Montgomery

WTA Buenos Aires: Ipek Oz vs Maria Carle | Pick: Oz

WTA Buenos Aires: Miriam B Bulgaru vs Julia Riera | Pick: Bulgaru

 

WTA Andorra: Anatasija Sevastova vs Dayana Yastremska

Former top-20 star Anastasija Sevastova has seen her ranking decimated by injury and hasn't built up a head of steam at all this term.

Yastremska has ambitions of becoming a top ten player and has shown glimpses of the ability it would require.

This will be the first time these players have met at any level.

The Latvian Sevastova is playing in her first tournament of the 2023 season after nearly dropping off the rankings altogether.

 

WTA Andorra: Katarzyna Kawa vs Clara Tauson

Clara Tauson will be out to repeat a past win over Katarzyna Kawa to book her place in the last eight in Andorra.

The winner of this match will complete the quarter-final lineup for the Andorra Open, with Kawa looking to square up the rivalry.

Tauson was on top for most of her first round win and looks a genuine contender for the Andorra crown.

Kawa has a lot of experience on her side, but that may not be enough to stop Tauson, who is on a mission to qualify for the Olympics .

 

WTA Buenos Aires: Renata Zarazua vs Luisina Giovannini

Renata Zarazua is out to book another WTA Tour quarter-final when she takes on Luisina Giovannini.

Zarazua had to work hard for her first round win, but that should also serve as a bit of a wake-up call.

The Mexican has been in good form of late but she needs to remain focused on getting her next win.

Giovannini looked far more comfortable in her opening match but will be aware that Zarazua poses a significantly greater threat.

 

WTA Buenos Aires: Solana Sierra vs Robin Montgomery

Solana Sierra and Robin Montgomery met each other during the Junior US Open but haven't clashed as senior players.

Sierra and Montgomery both breezed through the first round of the Buenos Aires event.

Montgomery blasted past Sara Errani in an impressive performance that underlined her quality.

That performance suggests that Montgomery is ready to make a deep run in Argentina.

 

WTA Buenos Aires: Ipek Oz vs Maria Carle

Ipek Oz is a great pick for a big upset in the second round when she faces eighth seed, Maria Carle.

Carle has beaten Oz in the past and will be out to do it again in her home event, but that pressure could count against her.

Oz is a WTA Tour professional who is growing in standing in the women's game, and she could disappoint the home crowd if she finds her best game.

Carle beat Oz in Sweden earlier this term, but Oz will take her lessons from that defeat.

 

WTA Buenos Aires: Miriam B Bulgaru vs Julia Riera

Miriam Bulgaru has to get beyond home hope Julia Riera if she wants to book her 11th tour quarter-final of the season.

Riera will have the crowd behind her for this clash, but Bulgaru should have the edge on recent form.

Riera is handy on clay, and playing at home stiffens the challenge for the Romanian, but Bulgaru is also a clay specialist.

This is the first time these players will clash on the WTA Tour.