Day 3 at the WTA event in Abu Dhabi promises a lot of exciting action and very tight matches. It’s a very strong draw for a tournament with this category, featuring three top 10 players including the recent Australian Open finalist and reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
WTA Abu Dhabi Day 3 Predictions
Qinwen Zheng vs Jelena Ostapenko
Head-to-head: Zheng 1-0 Ostapenko
Zheng’s win came at the US Open last year in a very tight matchup and a similarly tightly-contested one is to be expected here. Zheng was very disappointing at the Australian Open, while Ostapenko had a good run to the quarterfinals, showing very decent form, making her a slight favorite here.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Veronika Kudermetova vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: Mertens 3-1 Kudermetova
Both players didn’t go as far as they would have hoped in Australia, even if Mertens was only beaten by eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka. Kudermetova is on the cusp of the top 10 and a strong run here this week would go a long way towards that. If she can negotiate this tricky match against Mertens, she might just be able to pull if off.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Marta Kostyuk vs Belinda Bencic
Head-to-head: Bencic 1-0 Kostyuk
Bencic won in very straightforward fashion, dropping only four games in the process, when the pair faced at Miami last year and she’s once again a clear favourite here. She displayed a very good level at the Australian Open and was only stopped by the eventual champion Aryna Sabalanka. She seems ready to have another very strong season in 2023 after a great 2022.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Anett Kontaveit vs Shelby Rogers
Head-to-head: Kontaveit 2-1 Rogers
Kontaveit has been struggling lately; after peaking at #2 in the WTA rankings last June, she is now down to #18 and will be desperately looking to get some momentum back and rise back up the rankings. This won’t be an easy match for her, but she should have just enough to pull through.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
