Day 3 of the first WTA 1000 of the season will see some major players such as Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Caroline Garcia enter the tournament in Dubai, after receiving first-round byes. As always, we here at LWOT will preview and predict every match. Who do you think will win?
WTA Dubai Day 3 Predictions
Caroline Garcia vs Madison Keys
Head-to-head: Keys 3-1 Garcia
After a somewhat disappointing run in Australia, losing to Magda Linette in the fourth round, Garcia has had mixed results throughout February. The Frenchwoman made the final of Lyon and lost in a third-set tiebreak to Maria Sakkari in the Doha quarterfinals. Keys went 7-1 in Australia, undefeated at United Cup, but lost in the first round of Doha to Jelena Ostapenko. The American impressed in her Dubai first round though, dropping just two games against Jasmine Paolini. Keys has won their last three meetings, including at last year’s Roland Garros. This is close to a coin flip for me but I think Garcia will win in a tight three-setter.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Shelby Rogers vs Ana Bogdan
Head-to-head: first meeting
Bogdan was coming into Dubai in pretty poor form, 1-5 on the year with losses to Kimberly Birrell or Ana Bondar. The Romanian turned it around this week though, beating Clara Burel and Tereza Martincova to qualify for the main draw where she took out Laura Siegemund. Rogers already performed well in Dubai after an unremarkable January. The American qualified past Vera Zvonareva and Magdalena Frech before she beat Leylah Fernandez and got a late third-set retirement from Anett Kontaveit to reach the Abu Dhabi quarterfinals. Rogers beat her countrywoman Claire Liu in the Dubai first round and should be a favorite here.
Prediction: Rogers in 2
Jelena Ostapenko vs Linda Fruhvirtova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Defending champion Jelena Ostapenko began the defense successfully, dispatching Katarina Zavatska in straight sets. The Latvian reached the Australian Open quarterfinals and pushed No. 3 Jessica Pegula to 7-5 in the third last week, potentially priming herself for a big run here. Fruhvirtova made the fourth round in Melbourne but took a disappointing loss to Tamara Zidansek in Hua Hin. The 17-year-old surprised in her Dubai opener though, taking out Danielle Collins in straight sets. It will be interesting to see how Fruhvirtova will deal with the challenge of Ostapenko’s game style but I expect the Latvian to win out.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Victoria Azarenka vs Amanda Anisimova
Head-to-head: Anisimova 1-0 Azarenka
A finalist here in 2010, Azarenka seems to be back to her vintage best in 2023. The former No. 1 made the semifinals of the Australian Open and only lost very narrowly to Belinda Bencic last week. Azarenka beat a returning Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in her opener, with the Russian still far off her best. Anisimova is 3-4 on the season, defeating Vera Zvonareva in her first round, but beat Azarenka in their only previous meeting in Madrid last season. The Belarusian is definitely a level above compared to her play then though and will be the favorite here.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
