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WTA St. Petersburg Day 3 Predictions: Petra Kvitova, Maria Sharapova in Action

Rogers Cup Maria Sharapova

Day 2 of the St. Petersburg open provided a ton of exciting tennis, including an exciting match between Victoria Azarenka and Margarita Gasparyan. Well, the first set was exciting, at least. What does Day 3 have in store?

WTA St. Petersburg Day 3 Predictions

Dominika Cilbulkova vs Ekaterina Alexandrova

The former World No. 4, who remains winless in 2019, will look to find her groove against 24-year-old Alexandrova. Based on the two closest precedents, the Russian is dangerous as a qualifier. In Sydney, she dropped a heartbreaking 0-6 7-6 7-6 to Sloane Stephens, while late last season in Linz, Alexandrova beat two top 50 rivals en route to the final. Expect the underdog to prevail in a tight battle.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3

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Petra Kvitova vs Victoria Azarenka

With this heavyweight duel alone, Wednesday ticket holders will get plenty of bang for their buck. Azarenka admitted after her early exit at the Australian Open that she’s struggling, but I’m sure Kvitova would prefer a weaker opponent in her first match. Still, as we saw Down Under, the Czech is on a different level at this point in their careers.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2

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Julia Goerges vs Vera Zvonareva

Having won two titles in the last four events she entered, the arrow is pointing up for the German. In turn, 34-year-old Zvonareva was blown out by Alison Riske and Astra Sharma in Shenzhen and Melbourne respectively, which doesn’t inspire much confidence. Their only career meeting means nothing, as it happened more than a decade ago.
Prediction: Goerges in 2

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Veronika Kudermetova vs Donna Vekic

These two met two years ago at a $100,000 ITF in 2017, precisely in St. Petersburg. Vekic came out on top with a narrow 7-6 6-7 6-4 victory. While she hasn’t established herself as a WTA tour regular yet, Kudermetova has slowly but steadily improved her ranking. Owing to a solid 10-3 record to tip off 2019, the Russian will break into the top 100 next Monday for the first time. Unfortunately for her interest, Vekic has also left her unreliability behind and is the better player.
Prediction: Vekic in 3

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Daria Kasatkina vs Maria Sharapova

On paper, a matchup between the highest-ranked Russian and the most famous Russian in St. Petersburg is a can’t miss blockbuster. However, I fear this match could be very disappointing. Kasatkina’s form is as cold as it gets, plus Sharapova quickly dismissed her 6-0 6-2 in Montreal last season. The former world No. 1 will do damage early on and it will go downhill from that point.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2

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