Venus Williams’s much-anticipated return to singles action will occur on Day 2 of the WTA Citi Open in Washington. She faces a challenging task against her compatriot and Italian Open semifinalist, Peyton Stearns, in the opening round. Three matches are predicted in this article. The rest of the WTA Washington contests on Day 2, including Naomi Osaka vs Yulia Putintseva, are predicted separately.
WTA Washington Day 2 Predictions
Anna Kalinskaya vs Kamilla Rakhimova
Head-to-head: Kalinskaya 1-0 Rakhimova
Rakhimova created headlines for beating last year’s runner-up, Jasmine Paolini, at Wimbledon a few weeks ago. After a mostly challenging season, she has found form since the grass-court swing and played well to get through the qualifiers in Washington. Kalinskaya has struggled to find consistency and could be vulnerable in this matchup. The 2024 Dubai Championships runner-up’s vast superiority in the backhand-to-backhand battle makes me give her the edge, but an upset is possible.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
Sofia Kenin vs Hailey Baptiste
Head-to-head: Kenin 1-0 Baptiste
Baptiste has played her best tennis recently at Grand Slams, reaching the fourth round at the French Open and the third round at Wimbledon. She will try to find more consistency outside the Majors, starting in Washington. Kenin’s best level is undoubtedly superior to her fellow American’s, but the 2020 Australian Open champion’s level can fluctuate wildly. Baptiste will focus on being consistent and frustrating Kenin. That style often works against the former world No. 4.
Prediction: Baptiste in 3
Venus Williams vs Peyton Stearns
Head-to-head: First meeting
Williams proved how high her technical ability remains in a crushing doubles win with Baptiste against Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue. Whether she can manage physically at 45 against a good opponent like Stearns is another matter. The 23-year-old is capable of extending rallies by finding angles with her heavy topspin forehand. Williams will likely need to serve excellently and win this match in two sets. That scenario is possible, but a Stearns victory is the more likely outcome.
Prediction: Stearns in 2
