The World Tennis League in Dubai enters Day 4 of this six-day event with some very intriguing matches on the docket. All three matches will feature former Grand Slam champions as the likes of Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, and Dominic Thiem are all set to take the court. Let’s dive into the matches.
World Tennis League Day 4 Predictions
Elena Rybakina and Alexander Zverev vs Eugenie Bouchard and Felix Auger-Aliassime
An interesting doubles tilt is set to open play on Day 4 of the World Tennis League action in Dubai. 2022 Wimbledon Champion Elena Rybakina pairs with Alexander Zverev to take on Eugenie Bouchard and Felix Auger-Aliassime. On paper, Rybakina and Zverev look like the more formidable pair. Any questions about the German’s health can be thrown out the window after he thrashed Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-4 earlier this week. With no player of this quartet having extensive doubles history of late, I tend to side with the pair with the better serve and net play. That would be Rybakina and Zverev. However, I will be intrigued to see how Bouchard fairs on a court with three players near the top of the World rankings.
Prediction: Rybakina/Zverev in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Head-to-Head: first meeting
The world’s top-ranked WTA player, Iga Swiatek, is set to play her second match of the week in Dubai. After defeating Caroline Garcia in straight sets, Swiatek will take the court against veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The 31-year-old former World No. 11 has played just five matches this season due to a nagging knee injury. She has not notched a win since January. That said, Pavlyuchenkova looked comfortable in her doubles victory earlier this week and may put up more of a fight against Swiatek than expected. It is impossible to pick against the current World No. 1 in this spot, but regardless of the outcome, it will be an excellent sight to see Pavlyuchenkova back on the court playing singles tennis.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Holger Rune vs Dominic Thiem
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Holger Rune and Dominic Thiem are set to square off in a matchup between a budding star and a former star looking to recapture his Grand Slam-winning form. The 19-year-old Dane had an incredible 2022 season. He started the year ranked outside the top 100 and ended it in Turin as an alternate for the ATP Finals.
On the other side of the net, you could argue the year for Thiem was equally as incredible, given his injury history over the last 18 months. The Austrian took his bumps and bruises along the way but ended his season in terrific form. Thiem posted a 7-3 record in October with semifinal runs in Gijon and Antwerp. Both men competed in doubles matches earlier this week but will be playing singles for the first time in over a month. I expect a very high level of tennis to be on display between these two hard-hitting baseline attackers. I give the slight edge to the young Rune, who has shown an uncanny ability to raise his level at crucial points of a match.
Prediction: Rune in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
