The WTA Hobart International continues with another packed schedule on day 3. Eight matches are set to be played, with four of those predicted in this article. The American duo Sofia Kenin and Caroline Dolehide are among those who feature here. We at LWOT predict the outcomes of the other Hobart day 3 contests in a separate article- including Elise Mertens vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.
WTA Hobart Day 3 Predictions
Arantxa Rus vs Varvara Gracheva
Head-to-head: First meeting
Both women fought hard to reach the second round, with each prevailing in three set battles. This is Rus’ opening tournament of the season, and her win against Linda Fruhvirtova was an impressive one. These two will be interesting to observe this season for similar reasons. Rus had the biggest moment of her career by winning in Hamburg in July, but then fell away for the rest of 2023. Similarly, Gracheva had a great first half of the the season, but struggled towards the end. This could be tight, but Gracheva, who fell last week in the ASB Classic quarterfinal to US Open champion Coco Gauff, may have the edge due to her greater match practice.
Prediction: Gracheva in 3
Zhu Lin vs Caroline Dolehide
Head-to-head: Dolehide 2-1 Zhu
Both players came through comfortably in the previous round. Dolehide eased past clay court specialist Mayar Sherif and Zhu was also a straight sets winner against Lucia Bronzetti. The styles of both women are similar. There will be a lot of powerful hitting from the baseline, with each player trying to seize the initiative whenever possible. It is not going to be any kind of tactical chess match, but a simple case of who executes that style better. This could easily go either way, but I will go with Zhu to progress narrowly at the WTA Hobart International.
Prediction: Zhu in 3
Wang Xinyu vs Yuan Yue
Head-to-head: First meeting
Yuan played the highest quality match of the tournament against Sloane Stephens in the previous round. After a titanic battle, she overcame the 2017 US Open winner in a final set tiebreak. Wang also had a three-set match in the opening round. Wildcard Olivia Gadecki put up a great fight, but ultimately Wang came through. Can Yuan produce more magic? Fatigue may take its toll in this one, because she also won her last qualifying match for the main draw in a final-set tiebreak. Rebounding after two really long matches will be tough, and gives her higher ranked compatriot an extra edge.
Prediction: Wang in 2
Sofia Kenin vs Daria Saville
Head-to-head: First meeting
Saville battled through in three sets in the opening round. It is great to see the Australian playing at a good level after all the injury issues she has suffered with in recent years. Hopefully, those problems are now behind her. Kenin won with relative ease against Greet Minnen, responding to a shock defeat last week in Brisbane. The styles of these are two are also quite similar, with each getting good power behind their shots despite being quite short. Expect a lot of enjoyable, intense baseline exchanges throughout this WTA Hobart International match. It could go either way, but Kenin gets a small edge.
Prediction: Kenin in 3
Photo Credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports
