It is another busy day of tennis at the WTA Hobart International. Eight matches are scheduled, with four of them predicted here. Former Australian Open semifinalist Elise Mertens and Wimbledon quarterfinalist Marie Bouzkova are two of the players featured in this article. We at LWOT have a separate article predicting the outcomes of the other four contests in Hobart- including Sofia Kenin vs Daria Saville. Which players do you think will progress to the quarterfinals?
WTA Hobart Day 3 Predictions
Tatjana Maria vs Viktoriya Tomova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Tomova has looked very impressive so far. After progressing through qualifying, she swept aside last year’s quarterfinalist Martina Trevisan easily in straight sets. Veteran 2022 Wimbledon semifinalist Maria has her work cut out here, who progressed to this stage after Nadia Podoroska retired. The German will mix up her shots, with Tomova needing to keep her concentration in the rallies. Yet, I expect the Bulgarian to win again at the WTA Hobart International. Her game has improved considerably on hard courts, and right now her best level will be good enough to defeat Maria.
Prediction: Tomova in 2
Emma Navarro vs Magdalena Frech
Head-to-head: Frech 1-0 Navarro
Both women did it the hard way in the opening round. Navarro overcame Clara Burel after losing the first set, while Frech prevailed against Sara Sorribes Tormo also from a set down. Frech’s gameplan is likely to be very similar in this clash. She needed to be aggressive against the gritty Sorribes Tormo, and that approach is necessary to have the best chance against Navarro. The Pole dropped the first set 6-0 against the Spaniard, and she cannot afford to start that slowly in this one. Overall, Navarro’s solidity and vastly improved hard court skills since last season makes her a slight favourite at the WTA Hobart International, but Frech has a chance.
Prediction: Navarro in 3
Marie Bouzkova vs Yulia Putintseva
Head-to-head: Putintseva 1-0 Bouzkova
Putintseva’s victory in the previous round against Elisabetta Cocciaretto was the most dramatic of the tournament so far. Incredibly, Putintseva triumphed despite trailing the Italian 6-0 4-0 and being down match point, with the match finishing 0-6 7-5 7-6. But how much has that effort taken out of Putintseva? She also played two qualifying matches before that, and Bouzkova is a player adept at making her opponents play long points. In addition, the Czech came through comfortably in straight sets in the last round. Putintseva will need to be aggressive and go down swinging, but another win at the WTA Hobart International seems like a big ask.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 2
Elise Mertens vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova
Head-to-head: Mertens 1-1 Schmiedlova
Top seed Mertens was terrific in her opening round against Danielle Collins. Although the level of Collins can fluctuate, the 2022 Australian Open winner is very dangerous, but the Belgian dealt with her challenge easily. Schmiedlova had a much tougher battle to get to this point, edging out Camila Osorio in a final-set tiebreak. The Slovakian had her best season in some time last year, and is looking to build on that further. However, right now Mertens’ best level is the better of the two. Her solid, complete game will be tough for Schmiedlova to overcome at the WTA Hobart International, especially if she plays in the same manner as against Collins.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
