With just days left for the start of the US Open, all eyes are on Flushing Meadows with top players having already reached New York. However, there is still plenty of action going on in the ATP and the WTA Tours, where players are making last-ditch efforts to warm up for the last Grand Slam tournament of the season. Amid all this noise, we are at the business end of the WTA 500 tournament in Monterrey where Lulu Sun will face Linda Noskova in the summit clash.

It presents a wonderful opportunity for both of these players to leave their mark before the US Open. With an eye on the bigger prize, both Sun and Noskova will go out all guns blazing in this enthralling contest.

Lulu Sun vs Linda Noskova: Preview

It has been a year for the youngsters as far as the WTA Tour is concerned. While Iga Switek has dominated in many tournaments, players like Emma Navarro and Coco Gauff aren’t behind in this regard. Another set of youngsters who are having breakthrough seasons are Sun and Noskova. Sun began this season by playing regularly on the ITF Tour, apart from a few WTA tournaments and the Grand Slams. She found success there, winning a couple of lower-rung events. However, she caught the tennis world’s attention with her brilliant run at the Wimbledon Championships. Sun reached the quarterfinals there and defeated the likes of Emma Raducanu and Qinwen Zheng en route.

Further, Lulu Sun has carried on the momentum at the WTA Monterrey event, reaching the summit clash of a WTA tournament for the first time. However, she will face a mammoth challenge against Noskova, who is the sixth seed there. Although Noskova is yet to win a title this year, she has put on consistent performances throughout this season.

One of the highlights for Noskova this season was her run at the Australian Open, reaching the last eight there. With both players in great form, it promises to be a thriller of a contest.

Sun vs Noskova: Head-to-head

Two young talents will be on display in this match, with Noskova just 19 and Sun four years older than her. Despite still being in their early career days, Noskova and Lulu Sun have clashed before once. Their only h2h battle was at the recently concluded Cincinnati Open, which Sun won in straight sets 6-4, 7-6 (4).

Having faced each other just a few days ago, they would know a thing or two about each other and use that to their advantage.

Prediction: Noskova to avenge her Cincinnati defeat

With Sun causing a major upset by defeating Noskova in the first round of the Cincinnati Open, revenge will be on the cards for the Czech Republican player. Noskova is known to be a big-match player and often puts her best foot forward in big matches and during crunch moments. Additionally, she is more experienced than Sun, who is still finding her footing on the WTA Tour. While Noskova is ranked 35th in the WTA rankings, Sun lies outside the top 50 at the 57th spot.

Although both players are yet to lose a set in the tournament, Noskova has stood out as far as her service and return game is concerned. In her win over Navarro in the semifinals, she won 75% of her first-serve points, which is not often seen on the WTA Tour. Additionally, she has the strength to make attacking returns, something which will be on display in the game against Sun.

Considering all this, Noskova goes into this match with an upper hand and is predicted to win against Lulu Sun in straight sets to lift the Monterrey title. Their match will take place on the Center Court later today.