🇷🇺 Kamilla Rakhimova vs 🇨🇦 Kayla Cross

🇷🇺 Kamilla Rakhimova vs 🇨🇦 Kayla Cross – WTA Montreal R1 Preview

🎾 Monday, July 28 · WTA 1000 Montreal · Outdoor Hard

🧠 Form & Context

Kamilla Rakhimova 🇷🇺

• 🔄 Grass-court boost: Turned around poor form with QF in Eastbourne and 3R at Wimbledon
• 🎾 Qualified in both Washington and Montreal, though lost to Kalinskaya in DC R1
• 📉 Hard-court form still lacking: Just 5–10 W–L in main-draw hard-court matches this season
• 🎂 Age 23; hit career-high No. 60 in June, now ranked No. 62

Kayla Cross 🇨🇦

• 🎟️ Wildcard hope: Only her second tour-level main-draw match (after Granby 2022)
• 🌱 ITF hard-court performer: Won a W35 title in March; 9–5 record on hard at ITF level in 2025
• 🔄 Inconsistent: 16–15 season record but only 3 wins in last 10 tournaments
• 🎂 Age 20; peaked at No. 217 in singles, now No. 262

🔍 Match Breakdown

This clash features a contrast in experience and style. Rakhimova’s ability to hit deep, spin-heavy shots—especially her slice backhand—should control neutral rallies. Cross will need to inject pace, look for short balls, and take advantage of any mid-court looks.

While the crowd may rally behind the Canadian, Rakhimova’s poise and greater exposure to tour-level tension gives her the edge, especially in close games and longer exchanges.

🔮 Prediction

Expect Cross to hang tough and ride the home crowd early, but Rakhimova’s steady baseline patterns and confidence from recent grass form should see her through. Her hard-court struggles make it unlikely to be a rout, but she should avoid danger with solid execution.

🧩 Pick: Kamilla Rakhimova in 2 tight sets (e.g. 7–5, 6–4)