Day 3 at the WTA Brisbane International 2019 will see the conclusion of second round matches. Elina Svitolina–the defending champion at the Brisbane International–is the top seed, and she will play last year’s runner-up Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus.
Petra Kvitova was two points away from defeat against American Danielle Collins, but survived in three sets. She will meet the powerful Estonian Anett Kontaveit who benefits from a day off.
Lesia Tsurenko ended the run of Australian Kimberly Birrell, and is safely through to the quarterfinals, as is Naomi Osaka who was solid against Destanee Aiava.
Here are the predictions of the stand-out matches on Day 3.
Elina Svitolina vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
This is a repeat of last year’s final, which Svitloina totally dominated 6-2 6-1. I think it will be a lot closer this time because Svitolina is playing her first match since winning in Singapore. Sasnovich won in straight sets against Potapova but it was not straightforward. Svitolina could win the Australian Open this year, and she will want a great start. You look at what the Singapore event did to Wozniacki and you think maybe it could have a similar impact to the Ukrainian. With that said, I don’t see Svitolina struggling to win this.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
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Petra Kvitova vs Anett Kontaveit
This is a very tough match for Kvitova. I knew she would struggle against Collins but not to the extent where she was just two points from defeat. Her body language was not great, and it was only after winning that second set that she raised her game. I also thought Collins’ level dropped, probably because she thought she let the match slip from her racket. Kontaveit has beaten Kvitova once in four meetings, and I fancy her chances. Kvitova is just not feeling the ball well at the moment.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 2
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Johanna Konta vs Ajla Tomljanovic
Johanna Konta was so impressive in her win against Stephens. She is eyeing a place in the top 10 and that was a great start. She plays Tomljanovic next. Incidentally these two players met for the first and only time last year in Brisbane with Konta winning in three. Konta of course will be playing a home favorite, but Tomljanovic does not have the game to beat Konta.
Prediction: Konta in 2
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Donna Vekic vs Kiki Bertens
As much as we talk of Kiki Bertens being a good clay court player, she is very good on hard courts. She beat Halep from match point down in Cincinnati last year and reached the semis in Singapore. Donna Vekic leads the head-to-head 2-1, although there last meeting was won by the Dutchwoman almost three years ago. I think this will be tight. Considering that Bertens beat Mertens, who is one of the best players in the top 20, I can see her winning again. Vekic will struggle to read the big serve Bertens possesses and her forehand is lethal as well.
Prediction: Bertens in 3
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