The excellent matches just keep on coming on the WTA Tour. All of the matches in this preview are intriguing and likely to be entertaining as well. However, the game is all about winning and losing. Who will get the wins to make it into the quarterfinals here? We also predict the rest of the matches in a separate article.
WTA Qatar Day 4 Predictions
Ons Jabeur vs Tereza Martincova
Head-to-head: First Meeting
It has been a bit of a stuttering start to the year for Jabeur after a stellar 2021. However, it appears as though the Tunisian is getting her fitness back and so she must be favorite for this match. However, we must be careful to not underestimate Martincova too much. The Czech player has had a big rise up the rankings over a couple of years and has an excellent hard court record. Martincova will push Jabeur all the way but Jabeur is the player with more overall class at the moment and has to be favored to progress.
Predictions: Jabeur in 3
Elise Mertens vs Anett Kontaveit
Head-to-head: Mertens 3-1 Kontaveit
This is a very interesting match to preview because Mertens has won the last three in the head-to-head. However, the last of these was in March 2021, before Kontaveit seemed to step up to a new level. Indeed, since her surprising loss to Clara Tauson in Australia, Kontaveit has begun another winning streak, this one sits at six after a comfortable win over Ana Konjuh in the opening round here. It is usually the case that Mertens comes unstuck against the top players and at the moment, Kontaveit is a top player.
Predictions: Kontaveit in 3
Garbine Muguruza vs Madison Brengle
Head-to-head: First meeting
Muguruza is the player with the weapons here in this match. Brengle should be able to rally with the Spaniard but Muguruza has the much better serve and deeper groundstrokes to swing the rallies in her favor. Muguruza has traditionally been excellent in these early-season hard court tournaments and will be looking to gather some form together quickly after a disappointing Australian Open performance.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Daria Kasatkina vs Iga Swiatek
Head-to-head: Kasatkina 1-2 Swiatek
There is very little in the difference between this pair’s win rate on hard courts over the last year. What is different is how they have managed to get the job done. Swiatek has been much more convincing in many of her displays. When the Pole is on her game then she can be so ruthless and dominant. That is what the Pole has done to Kasatkina in their last two meetings as well. The Russian is capable of magic on her day but Swiatek has the speed and the movement to deal with the creation.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
