After losing just one seed in Madison Keys after the first two days, the inaugural Tallinn Open is carrying a lot of high-quality match-ups into its third day. As always, we here at LWOT will preview and predict every match. Who do you think will win? We also have predictions for matches featuring Belinda Bencic.
WTA Tallinn Day 3 Predictions
Viktorija Golubic vs Karolina Muchova
Head-to-head: Muchova 1-0 Golubic
In a season that never got going for Muchova, she looks to salvage something in the final months on indoor hard courts. The Czech’s talent is undeniable but injuries have slowed her down throughout as she played just 14 matches and dropped out of the Top 200. The 26-year-old looked strong in the first round though in Tallinn, allowing Jessika Ponchet just two games. Golubic is also looking to revive her season on indoor hard as she went 14-2 on the surface last season and has not had the best of seasons in 2022. The Swiss has had a strong start in Tallinn though, taking out Daniela Vismane and Anna-Lena Friedsam in qualifying before pulling off the upset over fourth seed Madison Keys. The head-to-head is not particularly relevant as their previous meeting was at a clay ITF in 2015. This should be an interesting and even match-up where I see Muchova coming out on top, though it is close to a coin flip.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Barbora Krejcikova vs Marta Kostyuk
Head-to-head: Kostyuk 2-0 Krejcikova
Krejcikova has not been quite the same since coming back from injury, earning an 8-10 record since her return at the French Open. The Czech could not find her form on hard courts, taking losses to Nao Hibino, Bernarda Pera or Aleksandra Krunic through the summer. The former No. 2 is hoping to breathe some life into her year on the indoor hard, beating Ajla Tomljanovic in the first round here. Kostyuk has a 24-16 record on the season but has yet to reach a WTA quarterfinal in 2022. She will be attempting to do so here, defeating Pera in three sets. The Ukrainian has won their previous two meetings at Eastbourne earlier this season and at the 2018 Australian Open qualifying. This is a close call but I will lean towards Kostyuk here.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
Jelena Ostapenko vs Kaia Kanepi
Head-to-head: Ostapenko 1-0 Kanepi
Definitely the most exciting first-round match-up in this draw. There is never a dull moment with Ostapenko on the court, especially if she has to go up against a crowd like she will here. The Latvian made her third final of the season last week in Seoul after a title in Dubai and another final loss in Eastbourne. Kanepi has had a stunning season at 37 years old, reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, reaching a WTA final in Washington, and now getting to play at a WTA event in front of her home crowd. Ostapenko won their previous meeting at Eastbourne in 2018 but I believe Kanepi will get the win here. Both are power players and can run away with the match but the crowd should tip it the way of the Estonian.
Prediction: Kanepi in 3
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