Ajla Tomljanovic vs Maiar Sherif Ahmed Abdelaziz Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Palermo Open

Prediction published on 15/07/2024, 01:21  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 15/07/2024 at 01:35 in Tennis Predictions

Wildcard Ajla Tomljanovic is making her Palermo Ladies Open debut and will face unseeded Mayar Sherif in the first round. This Tuesday meeting will be the first-ever match between the two. Let’s take a look at the key data to guide our prediction.

Tomljanovic returns to clay after a successful grass campaign and will hope for better tidings than her first go on the surface. Though a strong clay player, Tomljanovic has lost twice in three outings on the surface this year. This could be related to fitness concerns as she missed close to five months of the season with health issues.

The Australian has compiled an 11-10 record with eight wins coming on grass. Tomljanovic produced a runner-up finish in Birmingham to end a five-year wait for a tour final appearance. She is coming off a first-round Wimbledon exit and has started the week ranked 133rd in the WTA.

Mayar Sherif debuted in Palermo last year and went all the way to the semis. She will hope for an even better showing this time around and her form on clay will have her confident of this.

The Egyptian, a strong player on clay, has registered all 24 wins she has managed this year on this surface. This has resulted in five final appearances at both tour and challenger level. She finished as runners-up in Marrakech to end a two-year wait for a tour final appearance.

The 28-year-old, world number 67 is coming off a second-place finish at the Contrexeville Challenger. The winner from this encounter will battle Anna Blinkova or Astra Sharma for a place in the quarters.