The first WTA 1000 since Guadalajara in October last year is her and the line up in Dubai promises it should be a brilliant one. On day two of proceedings, we look to predict the outcomes of some quality matches including Ekaterina Alexandrova against Shelby Rogers, Sorana Cirstea versus Beatriz Haddad Maia and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova’s continued comeback against Victoria Azarenka. We have predictions for every match on day 2 at WTA Dubai.
WTA Dubai Day 2 Predictions
Petra Martic vs Yulia Putintseva
Head-to-head: Putintseva 2-0 Martic
Yulia Putintseva could feel a little exposed in faster conditions against Petra Martic. She won’t be winning free points off her serve whilst her opponent will be and she may not be able to retrieve as many of Martic’s groundstrokes as she would like. Martic has also been putting together some very high quality matches recently that would suggest a real possibility of her bringing her former top 20 tennis to Dubai this week (she went 6-0 against top 20 players last year). This looks like an ample opportunity for Martic to flip this head-to-head.
Prediction: Martic in 2.
Shelby Rogers vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-head: First meeting
In these conditions, Ekaterina Alexandrova has the advantage from the back of the court. Shelby Rogers should have the serving prowess to cover herself for most of the match but the Russian’s flat pacey strikes should be strengthened by the speed of play in Dubai. Just look at four of the last five times she’s played on a court this quick.
- Australian Open third round loss to eventual semifinalist Magda Linette.
- Ostrava semifinal loss to Iga Swiatek in three sets.
- Won in Seoul.
- Berlin second round loss to Daria Kasatkina in three sets.
- Won in s’Hertogenbosch.
We’ll give Rogers a set as Alexandrova can go off the boil–ultimately though, she should set herself up for a dangerous week.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3.
Sorana Cirstea vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Head-to-head: Cirstea 3-1 Haddad Maia
There’s been a bit of a dry spell for Sorana Cirstea that could impact her performance here. She’s lost 10 of her last 15 main draw matches, losing to her opponent here as recently as Adelaide last month. The tour’s serves are getting bigger and bigger–with the veteran lacking in that department, in the faster conditions, she’ll likely struggle.
Couple this with the fact Beatriz Haddad Maia’s lefty swings should neutralise the backhand strength of the Romanian, this could be over in straight sets. There will be moments of strong tennis from the former #21 but Haddad Maia’s consistently aggressive game should prevail.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2.
Victoria Azarenka vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Head-to-head: Azarenka 5-2 Pavlyuchenkova
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova’s comeback continues in Dubai. Though things were looking grim at the start of 2023, the former French Open finalist got her first win in over a year so at least looks to have shaken off the limitations caused by her injuries.
Nonetheless, this is definitely asking a lot. Victoria Azarenka should be more than comfortable in Dubai whilst Pavlyuchenkova’s game will lack a bit of its usual heaviness on these slick courts. We’d be surprised to see this go to a decider.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2.
Photo Credit: © Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
