Day 4 at the WTA Abu Dhabi Open presents some intriguing matches. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate on day four, including Maria Sakkari vs Cori Gauff. Who will punch their ticket to the Round of 16?
WTA Abu Dhabi Open Day 4 Predictions
Garbine Muguruza vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Head to head: First meeting
Garbine Muguruza may go through some slumps, but the Spanish talent always seems to find a way back to her best. The quick feet and powerful groundstrokes allow her to take control of the point. And, when the serve is hitting its mark, she can find some free points. Much was the case against doubles specialist Kristina Mladenovic. Muguruza quickly bounced back from having her serve broke, in turn breaking the Mladenovic serve. If she can keep her first serve percentage up, Sasnovich has little chance in the clash.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Karolina Pliskova vs Anastasia Gasanova
Head to head: First meeting
Karolina Pliskova should command in this match. Facing qualifier Anastasia Gasanova, the Czech has the power, serve and experience which should leave Gasanova without answers. A few points may go Gasanova’s way if she’s able to exploit Pliskova’s deficient movement. Yet, a game or two won’t change the outcome and the third seed will be moving on.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Elina Svitolina vs Vera Zvonareva
Head to head: First meeting
After a blasé 2020, Elina Svitolina is looking for an improved year. Perhaps the interrupted season caused by the pandemic created the Ukrain’s lackluster performance. Svitolina remains one of the best movers on tour. And, her ability to inject pace creates difficulty for her opponents. That’s precisely what Vera Zvonareva will face in this match-up. While the Russian is a solid competitor, and had previously been in the upper echelons, there’s not enough in the Zvonareva game to see off Svitolina.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Hsieh Su-Wei vs Marta Kostyuk
Head to head: First meeting
This is a competition of experience and guile versus youth and power. We’ll see veteran Hsieh Su-Wei square off against the talented teen, Marta Kostyuk. Hsieh is perhaps the craftiest player in the game. Using deft dropshots, slice, lobs and guile, the Taiwanese #1 can disrupt her opponent’s rhythm. Her weak serve is really her only downfall. Hsieh can easily absorb power and send back unpredictable shots. Kostyuk may lack experience, but she makes up for it in pure energy and power. The fast courts work nicely in her power game. However, she’ll find Hsieh’s style a bit frustrating and she may over press as a result. I give the ever so slight edge to Hsieh. Expect the veteran to strategize the many ways she can thwart Kostyuk for a win.
Prediction: Hsieh in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
