The 2025 WTA Madrid Open kick-starts on Wednesday, April 23 with Petra Kvitova, Belinda Bencic, Emma Raducanu and Maria Sakkari among those in action. You can get the best predictions and tips for the day from this tournament here.
Emma Raducanu v Suzan Lamens
Emma Raducanu and Suzan Lamens are set to face each other for the first time in the opening round of the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open. Raducanu, known for her aggressive baseline play and swift court coverage, has shown promise on hard courts but is still adapting her game to clay surfaces. Lamens, on the other hand, employs a more consistent and patient style, which often benefits players on slower surfaces like clay.
Historically, Raducanu’s experience on clay has been limited, with a modest win-loss record that reflects her ongoing adjustment to the surface. Lamens has demonstrated a stronger affinity for clay courts, with a higher win percentage that underscores her comfort and effectiveness on this terrain.
In the current season, Raducanu has had a mixed bag of results, showing flashes of brilliance but struggling to maintain consistency, especially on clay. Lamens has had a more stable season, with several deep runs in clay-court tournaments, indicating her readiness for this matchup.
Given Lamens’ proficiency on clay and Raducanu’s ongoing adaptation to the surface, this encounter promises to be a compelling contest.
Raducanu v Lamens Tip: Lamens to win: 5/2
Maria Sakkari v Xinyu Wang
Maria Sakkari and Wang Xinyu are set to meet for the first time in the opening round of the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open.
Sakkari, known for her athleticism and powerful baseline play, has had a challenging start to the season, with a 6–12 win-loss record. Her clay-court experience is notable, with a career win percentage of 59% on the surface, indicating her comfort and effectiveness on clay but she is also coming off a second round loss at Charleston and a first round loss in the Rouen Open.
Wang Xinyu, has also struggled and has a 7=8 record this season. Her game is characterized by a solid serve and aggressive groundstrokes, which can be effective on clay.
Wang’s recent performances include a semifinal appearance at the Singapore Open, where she defeated notable players before falling to Elise Mertens. She is yet to play on clay this season though.
Sakkari’s experience and familiarity with clay courts may give her an edge in this matchup. However, Wang’s recent form and confidence could pose a significant challenge. The match promises to be a compelling contest between Sakkari’s consistency and Wang’s emerging prowess.
Sakkari v Xinyu Tip: Sakkari to win: 4/9
Petra Kvitova v Katie Volynets
Petra Kvitová and Katie Volynets are set to face each other for the first time in the opening round of the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open.
Kvitová, a two-time Wimbledon champion, is known for her aggressive left-handed play and powerful groundstrokes, which can be particularly effective on the faster clay courts of Madrid – she has won the title here three times.
Volynets, a rising American talent, employs a consistent baseline game with solid defensive skills, which can be advantageous on clay surfaces.
Kvitová has had a challenging start to the 2025 season, with first round exits in all three of the tournaments she has played, indicating a need to regain her form.
Her experience and previous successes, however, make her a formidable opponent. Volynets, on the other hand, has shown promise with a runner-up finish at the ITF Oeiras Ladies Open in April, demonstrating her capability on clay courts.
While Kvitová’s experience and power make her a favorite, Volynets’ recent form and comfort on clay could make this a competitive match.
Kvitova v Volynets Tip: Volynets to win a set – Yes: 8/11
Belinda Bencic v Zeynep Sönmez
Belinda Bencic and Zeynep Sönmez are set to face each other for the first time in the opening round of the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open. This will be their first meeting.
Bencic, a former World No. 4, is known for her aggressive baseline play and tactical acumen, while Sönmez, Turkey’s top-ranked player, brings a consistent and patient style to the court.
The Swiss player has a career singles record of 441 wins to 222 losses, with an 84–47 record on clay courts. In 2025, she has an 18–7 win-loss record, though she has yet to secure a win on clay this season, having lost her opener at the Charleston Open.
Notably, Bencic returned from maternity leave to win the Abu Dhabi WTA 500 title in February, showcasing her resilience and form.
Sönmez, with a career singles record of 221–140, has demonstrated proficiency on clay with a 92–59 record. In 2025, she holds a 12–8 win-loss record, including a 2–0 record on clay, with both those wins having come in the qualifiers of this event.
She had captured her first WTA singles title at the Merida Open in 2024, highlighting her potential on the tour.
While Bencic’s experience and recent title suggest she is the favorite, Sönmez’s clay-court prowess and recent form could make this a competitive match.
Bencic v Sonmez Tip: Bencic to win in three sets: 7/2
Other WTA Madrid Open 2025 Predictions for the Day
- Anastasia Sevastova v Anastasia Pavlychenkova: Pavlyuchenkova to win: 4/11
- Anhelina Kalinina v Irina Camelia-Begu: Kalinina to win: 6/5
- Ashlyn Krueger v Anastasia Potapova: Krueger to win: 17/16
- Jaqueline Cristian v Sonay Kartal: Cristian to win: 11/17
