It will be an action-packed Day 3 at the WTA ASB Classic in Auckland. With an overflow of matches from Tuesday due to repeated rain interruptions, some of the first-round matches will be played on Wednesday. We also have predictions for the second-round matches that will feature Emma Raducanu taking on Slovakian qualifier Viktoria Kuzmova. Who will reach the quarterfinal?
WTA Auckland Day 3 Predictions
Leylah Fernandez vs Julia Grabher
Head-to-head: first meeting
Grabher tends to struggle on fast surfaces. She has played over 300 matches on the pro circuit, but a measly 20 matches on hard courts. But she put in the hard yards on Monday and came away with a staggering win over Tereza Martincova. It is difficult to comprehend how the Czech lost that match from a winning position. Fernandez is unlikely to be generous in giving away sets. The Canadian lefty gave 15-year-old Brenda Fruhvirtova a reality check on how unforgiving Tour-level tennis can be, dropping just two games in the match. The 2021 US Open finalist should have too much in her locker to dismiss the wily Austrian.
Prediction: Fernandez in 2
Venus Williams vs Zhu Lin
Head-to-head: first meeting
Venus won her first match since 2021, defeating Katie Volynets in straight sets. A lot of people were questioning Venus’ wild card this week on whether it was merited. But the legendary American gave a perfect riposte by beating a player half her age and showed her iron will. Zhu Lin, meanwhile, came through a grueling match against Madison Brengle that lasted three minutes shy of three hours. But the Chinese woman will come into her second-round match with her energy replenished after getting a day off. It will be a tall order to expect the 42-year-old Williams to string back-to-back wins. Lin should be able to put the brakes and deny the former champion a place in the quarterfinals.
Prediction Lin in 3
Rebecca Marino vs Ysaline Bonaventure
Head-to-head: Marino 1-0 Bonaventure
Backing Rebecca Marino on quick surfaces is a wise idea, but I will go against the grain in this one. The only concern is whether Bonaventure will be feeling it physically after accumulating almost six hours of playing time from qualifying and then knocking off Caty McNally. With that said, this will be a very difficult one to call, but the Belgian cannot be counted out with momentum firmly on her side.
Prediction: Bonaventure in 3
Emma Raducanu vs Viktoria Kuzmova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Raducanu has sharpened her tactical preparation for the 2023 season. After spending two months on fitness training, she commenced hitting very late during preseason. But that was understandable considering she shut down her 2022 campaign due to a wrist injury. Raducanu opened up her ASB Classic account with an excellent win over Linda Fruhvirtova. And under the tutelage of new coach Sebastian Sachs (on a trial basis), it was an encouraging first step in the right direction. Her next test will be in the form of Viktoria Kuzmova. The Slovak shocked world #44 Bernarda Pera right off the bat. Kuzmova is aiming to return to the world’s Top 100. However, Raducanu’s game is gleaming right now and I expect the Briton to advance here.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
