Day 3 at the United Cup will feature a lot of exciting, high-level action, including the return to action of the World #2 and Slam record-holder Rafael Nadal, who will kickstart his 2023 campaign representing Team Spain against Cameron Norrie. We also predict the rest of the day’s matches, split between two other articles. One features Iga Swiatek vs Yulia Putintseva and the other features David Goffin vs Grigor Dimitrov.
United Cup Day 3 Predictions
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Malene Helgo
Head-to-head: first meeting
This is on paper one of the most one-sided matches of this entire tournament. Haddad Maia is ranked #15 in the world, while her opponent is ranked #319 and her only achievements have been at ITF level. Anything other than a straightforward for the Brazilian would be a quite a surprise here.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Felipe Meligeni Alves vs Viktor Durasovic
Head-to-head: Alves 1-0 Durasovic
The Brazilian won the only previous match between the pair back in July rather easily, but on hard court it should be a much tighter affair, with Durasovic certainly having a very good chance to score a win for Norway here, even if he does come into this season on the back of three consecutive losses to finish his 2022 season.
Prediction: Durasovic in 3
Nuria Parrizas-Diaz vs Katie Swan
Head-to-head: first meeting
This is expected to be a very tight affair. The Spaniard is much higher ranked, but on this surface there’s very little to separate the two players and it will all come down to form on the day and little details are likely to decide the outcome.
Prediction: Parrizas-Diaz in 3
Rafael Nadal vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-head: Nadal 4-0 Norrie
This is the big match of the day, with reigning Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal kickstarting his season against a familiar foe, who he’s beaten four times without even dropping a set. Norrie is a solid and consistent player but he’s never shown any ability to hurt Nadal. Early season rust might make it a more interesting contest than usual, but Nadal should prevail here.
Prediction: Nadal in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
