It is a bumper schedule at the WTA Brisbane International, where the big hitters will finally have the stage to perform for the first time in this brand-new season. World No. 2 and top seed Aryna Sabalenka kicks off her campaign against Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti in one of 14 matches on Wednesday. We also predict the rest of the day’s matches in separate articles. So, who do you think will advance?
WTA Brisbane Day 4 Predictions
Veronika Kudermetova vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova
Head-to-head: Schmiedlova 1-0 Kudermetova
Schmiedlova authored one of the biggest upsets in the first round of last year’s French Open when she defeated Kudermetova quite comprehensively. That defeat triggered a moment of self-evaluation for the big-serving Russian because she bounced back superbly by reaching a grasscourt final in her next tournament. The Slovak is a former Top 30 player with a solid ground game. She won her opening match against last year’s Guadalajara finalist Caroline Dolehide in three sets. But the Brisbane hard courts should favor Kudermetova’s first-strike tennis.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Elise Mertens vs Sloane Stephens
Head-to-head: Stephens 1-0 Mertens
Sloane Stephens is now a veteran on the WTA Tour. This is her 15th full season on the professional circuit, and she is only 30. The American is now entering her final peak, and very few players are able to match her skillset when she is on. That was the case on New Year’s Eve, where Stephens totally outplayed wily Czech doubles specialist Katerina Siniakova to win in straight sets. Elise Mertens will kick off her campaign a round late by virtue of being a seeded player. The Belgian is an excellent counterpuncher in her own right and one of the tireless baseliners who doesn’t gift points to her opponents. But Stephens is playing with so much attacking intent that she’ll comfortably breach Mertens’ defenses.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Linda Noskova vs Sorana Cirstea
Head-to-head: first meeting
Linda Noskova showed nerves of steel to escape with a win in her opening match. The Czech teenager saved a match point en route to a gutsy 5-7 7-6 7-6 victory over former World No. 25 Timea Babos. Noskova has an incredible ability to command rallies, which proved to be the difference in the end because the Hungarian was dialed in on serve, and the Czech had to be very patient. Sorana Cirstea had a resurgent year in 2023, highlighted by a return to the Top 30. Cirstea’s mental and tactical improvements following the appointment of former ATP pro and Grand Slam champion Thomas Johansson have been conspicuous. She possesses the heavier artillery in this matchup, and Noskova wasn’t overly convincing in her first match. I’ll lean towards the Romanian No. 1.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Aryna Sabalenka vs Lucia Bronzetti
Head-to-head: first meeting
Lucia Bronzetti earned a fantastic win in the opening round, thwarting the big-hitting American teenager Ashlyn Krueger. The match spanned over two days due to inclement weather, so it is far from ideal preparation for the 25-year-old Italian who will face one of the tournament favorites in Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian powerhouse has a slim chance of getting the World No. 1 ranking back, although Iga Swiatek controls the fate of her ranking. However, Sabalenka should be in total control of the proceedings for this particular match.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
