Day 3 at the United Cup will feature a lot of high level, exciting action, including the season debut for the WTA World #1 Iga Swiatek who, after an incredible 2022 season, will be aiming to continue her dominance of the tour in the next season, starting with the Australian Open coming soon. We also predict the rest of the day’s matches, split between two other articles. One features Rafael Nadal vs Cameron Norrie and the other features David Goffin vs Grigor Dimitrov.
United Cup Day 3 Predictions
Donna Vekic vs Maria Lourdes Carle
Head-to-head: first meeting
Vekic had a very decent end to her 2022 season and will be looking to build on that this season. This first match should on paper provide a very comfortable win for her against a much lower ranked opponent who has lost all of her last three matches and should be a bit out of her depth at this level.
Prediction: Vekic in 2
Borna Coric vs Francisco Cerundolo
Head-to-head: Coric 1-0 Cerundolo
Coric had a really postive second half of 2022, with the obvious highlight being the title in Cincinnati. He’ll be looking to build on that in 2022 and he’ll start off against an opponent who also had a breakthrough season in 2022 himself; Cerundolo has shown very good ability on all surfaces and will surely be a very tough nut to crack for most opponents this season. Coric is still a solid favorite going into this match.
Prediction: Coric in 2
Daniel Michalski vs Timofey Skatov
Head-to-head: first meeting
This should be a very tight matchup; both players aren’t used to playing at this level with such high stakes and will be very motivated to make their mark here. Both players are young and will surely have aspirations of becoming ATP tour regulars; Skatov is the favorite, but it should be a very closely contested match.
Prediction: Skatov in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Yulia Putintseva
Head-to-head: Swiatek 1-0 Putintseva
Swiatek was so dominant in 2022 that she has to be considered a clear favorite against pretty much any opponent on tour. It remains to be seen whether anyone will be able to rise to Swiatek’s challenge, but as of now she’s a clear favorite in every match and tournament she enters and the disputed queen of the WTA tour.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
