We are into Day 3 of WTA Linz as players look to transition from the first Slam of the season to the weekly grind of the WTA Tour. Wednesday in Linz is filled with six matches, including three in a separate article. In this piece, we at LWOT have the preview and prediction for three WTA Linz matches, including Petra Martic vs Katerina Siniakova. But who do you think will advance?
WTA Linz Day 3 Predictions
Anastasia Potapova vs Sara Errani
Head-to-Head: first meeting
No. 5 seed Anastasia Potapova squares off against qualifier Sara Errani in the first round of WTA Linz. The 22-year-old Russian suffered a disappointing round-one exit at the Australian Open but still has her sights set on a very strong season. Errani valiantly battled her way through qualifying, but I doubt she has the level to hang with Potapova on a hard court. She has not beaten a player ranked as high as Potapova since 2017.
Prediction: Potapova in 2
Jodie Burrage vs Jaqueline Cristian
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Qualifier Jodie Burrage and lucky loser Jaqueline Cristian square off with a spot in the WTA Linz quarterfinals on the line. It would be just the second WTA quarterfinal appearance for Burrage, and the seventh for Cristian. Cristian is just 2-4 on the young season and has struggled with consisntency over the last 12 months. Burrage’s game seems to be rounding into form, coming off a straight-set beatdown of No. 7 seed Varvara Gracheva. I’ll take the Brit in straights.
Prediction: Burrage in 2
Petra Martic vs Katerina Siniakova
Head-to-Head: Martic 0-2 Siniakova
No. 8 seed Petra Martic squares off against Katerina Siniakova in a very intriguing round-one battle. These two are separated by just one spot in the rankings, and both have the firepower to make a deep run at this event. Siniakova had a strong end to the 2023 season, holding a 13-5 record dating back to mid-October. She has bested Martic in straight sets in their only two meetings. I expect this match to be more competitive, but I like Siniakova to find the finish line.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac – USA TODAY Sports
