Day 1 at the WTA Qatar Total Open in Doha saw defending champion Elise Mertens win her opening round against China’s Wang Qiang. Garbine Muguruza outlasted Russia’s Daria Kasatkina in a three set bout. Amanda Anisimova dug deep to win the second set tiebreak and bounce Ekaterina Alexandrova. Ons Jabeur’s solid form continues with a win over Katarina Siniakova.
We’re here to predict Day 2 in Doha. This set of predictions features four matches, including Elina Svitolina vs Amanda Anisimova. We have two other sets for you as well.
Doha Day 2 Predictions
Carla Suarez Navarro vs Zhang Shuai
Head to head: Suarez Navarro 3-0 Zhang
Zhang Shuai sits nearly 20 ranking spots above her opponent, Carla Suarez Navarro. However, the Chinese star has yet to find a way to win against the Spaniard. Certainly, you can never count out Suarez Navarro, who fights in each and every match. Yet, it’s surprising that Zhang’s clinically perfect groundstrokes and stellar defense has yet to dent Suarez Navarro’s armor. Perhaps someday Zhang will win, and the oddsmakers favor that outcome here. But I doubt it will be done in Doha.
Prediction: Suarez Navarro in 3
Vera Zvonareva vs Hsieh Su-Wei
Head to head: Zvonareva 1-0 Hsieh
Vera Zvonareva post-maternity campaigns have met with little success. While the Russian did reach two semifinals in 2019, she had far more early exits including four tournaments where she lost in qualifying rounds. The 2018 BNP Paribas champion is certainly capable, but as Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka will agree, it’s a difficult task for mothers to reach their competitive best.
Hsieh Su-Wei is never an easy opponent. Zvonareva may have the win in their only meet-up, but Hsieh has been in good touch and should see the second round.
Prediction: Hsieh in 2
Petra Martic vs Barbora Strycova
Head to head: Martic 4-1 Strycova
Petra Martic had an impressive run in Dubai where she reached the semifinals. In fact, the Croat knocked out Barbora Strycova in the second round of Dubai last week. Martic will feel confident that she can repeat last week’s success. I tend to agree.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Elina Svitolina vs Amanda Anisimova
Head to head: Svitolina 1-0 Anisimova
It seems Amanda Anisimova’s success comes in fits and starts. Perhaps she hasn’t fully mentally recovered from last season‘s unfortunate events. There is no doubt the American teen is abundantly talented. Yet, she suffered first round losses to Barbora Strycova in Dubai and Zarina Diyas in Melbourne – both losses not indicative of Anisimova’s capabilities.
Elina Svitolina was handed a surprising loss in Dubai, where American Jen Brady bounced the seed, 6-2 6-1. Certainly not the expected outcome for the World #6. If the form Anisimova showed in Auckland returns, it will challenge the Svitolina game. Yet, I am not confident Anisimova will rise to that level.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
