Sorana Cirstea vs. Julia Grabher – Prediction – WTA Linz (Austria) 10.11.2020

H2H: Sorana Cirstea v Julia Grabher – comparison.

Grabher has never beaten a top 100 player (0-7), at most taking a set off Kr. Pliskova in the 2016 Linz qualifying and Kenin at $80k Dothan in 2018. The Austrian is a perfect opponent for Cirstea, who has come into Linz following straight-set, opening-round thrashing at the hands of Rybakina in Paris and Badosa in Ostrava.

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Sorana Cirstea is on her ninth trip to Upper Austria Ladies Linz where she has gone as far as the quarterfinals on a couple of instances, in 2011 and 2017. That said, five out of her previous eight campaigns in the tournament have ended in the first round itself, including when she last played here two years ago (l. Teichmann). Former world no. 21 Cirstea has barely been in the picture throughout the season. She has gone 3-7 in the main draw matches, with the only prominent result coming at the US Open where she stunned world no. 13 Konta, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4, to reach the third round. It was her biggest scalp in terms of ranking in almost three years.

Julia Grabher has been once again given a wildcard from her home tournament to make her career’s second WTA main draw appearance. Following four unsuccessful qualifying attempts through 2014 to 2017, the now 24-year-old was given such an opportunity in 2019 but could not clear Viktoria Kuzmova in the opening round. Grabher has thus far spent most of her professional career on clay-court ITF tournaments, winning seven titles at W25 or lower levels. In fact, last year she failed to secure even one win in hard court tournaments, while this year she has improved to four such wins at W25 level, all but one against fellow outside top 200 players.

Match Info.