Elena-Gabriela Ruse vs Camila Giorgi Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Monterrey Open

Prediction published on 27/02/2023, 06:58  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 27/02/2023 at 08:43 in Tennis Predictions

Camila Giorgi looks to build on winning the Merida Open last week. The Italian faces qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the first round of the Monterrey Open. Whoever wins this match will take on either fourth seeded Elise Mertens or Diana Shnaider in round two. Giorgi hadn't won a title since 2021 before beating Rebecca Peterson in three sets to win in Merida. The win has taken her to 46th in the WTA rankings, a rise of 22 places. Giorgi only dropped that one set in the final in her five matches last week with two top 50 ranked players beaten. The Italian hadn't got past the last 16 of a tournament since June last year. That was on grass at Eastbourne in England.

Elena-Gabriela Ruse began this tournament ranked 160th. The Romanian had to play two qualifiers to get into the main draw and didn't have an easy time doing so. Both matches saw her have to come from a set down to get the win. Strangely after losing the opening set against both Simona Waltert and Jeskika Maleckova, only six games were lost in the other four sets played. The Romanian is up to 155th in the live rankings after those two wins. Her best run this year has been Auckland in her first tournament of the year. Ruse reached the last 16 but didn't beat any top 100 ranked players. The first round of that event saw her have to go to three sets to beat local player Erin Routliffe who was ranked 855th at the time. Twice this year Ruse has lost in the qualifying rounds, including the Australian Open. The only previous match between this pair was in 2021 with Ruse winning in straight sets. Giorgi is in much better form right now and can get the win.