World No. 1 Iga Swiatek was losing early in the US Open warm-ups last year, but won the main event in New York. How will this part of the season go for her in 2023? She kicks off her WTA 1000 Montreal campaign against Karolina Pliskova. We also look at the rest of the day’s matches in two separate articles, featuring Caroline Wozniacki vs Marketa Vondrousova and Petra Kvitova vs Camila Giorgi. Who do you think will prevail?
WTA Montreal Day 3 Predictions
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Leylah Fernandez
Head-to-head: 1-1
They played at this event last year, but of course that match took place in Toronto. Beatriz Haddad Maia was the victor then and she’ll try to beat Leylah Fernandez against the crowd again. Down to World No. 81 right now, the Canadian is certainly not firing on all cylinders. She had a solid run in Washington though, but someone who can both be solid and play aggressive tennis when needed doesn’t feel like a particularly good matchup for her.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 3
Liudmila Samsonova vs Qinwen Zheng
Head-to-head: 2-2
This has been a fun rivalry with two promising players who just can’t seem to start bringing their best to the court very consistently. Liudmila Samsonova is considered to have the matchup edge, but it’s Qinwen Zheng who has had the last laugh, in Miami this year. The Russian’s serve is huge and it proves really important against this particular opponent. Zheng has little regulation on return and she tends to struggle against the flat pace of Samsonova.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
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Iga Swiatek vs Karolina Pliskova
Head-to-head: Swiatek 2-0
Iga Swiatek famously double-bageled Karolina Pliskova in the Rome final two years ago, but the Czech actually took a set off her in Stuttgart his season. That’s one of the former World No. 1’s favorite venues and she played a breathtaking ten games, unable to keep it up at all though. Will she look better against Swiatek on a hard court? Perhaps, but the Pole is coming into this part of the season with much better preparation than in 2022 and it’s not like Pliskova’s in any crazy form at the moment.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Maria Sakkari vs Danielle Collins
Head-to-head: Sakkari 2-0
Maria Sakkari made the final in Washington last week, overcoming her semifinal issues but having an awful showing on Sunday. Three days off should probably give her enough time to rest up. However, competing at a similar level of intensity next week after a big run is often tough, which might open the door for Danielle Collins. With three wins here already (including Elina Svitolina), the American is finding her best rhythm again as we speak. Sakkari won both their previous matches, but in three sets.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
