Stuttgart 2023: Rybakina vs Niemeier Tennis Prediction and Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Stuttgart Open first-round match featuring Elena Rybakina vs Jule Niemeier on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

Rybakina vs Niemeier Match Preview and Prediction

Elena Rybakina has looked unstoppable for the most part on hard courts in 2023. Will she translate that form to the clay at the Stuttgart Open? She is set to face home favorite Jule Niemeier in a tricky opener. Who will prevail?

Elena Rybakina played a key role in steering Kazakhstan to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals at the weekend, notching a couple of singles wins against the Polish pair of Magda Linette and Weronika Falkowska. The tie was played on clay, which was essential for Rybakina coming to the Stuttgart Open. However, she has a tough opener against Jule Niemeier who has already played on the Stuttgart courts this past week.

Jule Niemeier stunned Brazil’s No. 1 Beatriz Haddad Maia as Germany punched their ticket at the BJKC Finals later this year. Niemeier’s three-set win over Haddad Maia was particularly pivotal in what was just her third win of 2023. She had been in dreadful form before last week’s team competition, but retained the full support of her peers and was tasked with taking down the World No. 14 which she duly did. Will she produce the upset of the day by earning a second top-20 win in as many days at the Stuttgart Open?

Rybakina vs Niemeier Prediction and Pick

Elena Rybakina and Jule Niemeier have not played each other on the WTA Tour, with this first-round match at the Stuttgart Open being their first meeting. Niemeier played on these courts at the weekend, earning a massive win over Haddad Maia. But Rybakina surfs into this match on a wave of confidence having won 23 matches. She might drop the odd set, but expect the Kazakh to come through unscathed.