There is a packed schedule on the second day of the WTA 1000 event in Doha. 15 matches are set to be played, with four of those predicted in this article. We at LWOT also have predictions for all the other contests in Doha on day 2 in three separate articles. But which players do you think will win?
WTA Doha Day 2 Predictions
Leylah Fernandez vs Linda Samsonova
Head-to-head: Samsonova 1-0 Fernandez
Samsonova is looking to build on a very positive week in Abu Dhabi. She reached the semifinal, where she narrowly lost to last year’s Australian Open runner-up, Elena Rybakina. Samsonova did lose in the first-round in Qatar last year when it was held as a WTA 500 event. Fernandez is playing her first match since the Australian Open and did not play in Qatar last year. However, the Canadian gets the edge here. Samsonova has had issues in the past playing the week after a good run and Fernandez’s more aggressive style in recent months can cause her problems.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Daria Kasatkina
Head-to-head: Kasatkina 4-1 Krueger
The scheduling of this match has caused controversy. Last year’s Elite Trophy semifinalist Kasatkina reached the final in Abu Dhabi, yet she is playing her opening round in Doha the next day. The Abu Dhabi runner-up is understandably unhappy about the disadvantage that causes her. Yet, Kasatkina still gets the edge here. She is one of the fittest and mentally strongest players on the WTA Tour, which will help her cope. In addition, her playing style effectively nullifies the big-hitting Pavlyuchenkova.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Bernarda Pera vs Linda Noskova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Recent Australian Open quarterfinalist Noskova is seeking a response after losing her first match since that run in Melbourne to Sara Sorribes Tormo in Abu Dhabi. Pera will present a somewhat similar challenge to Sorribes Tormo. The American will put a lot of balls into play and focus on being consistent. At her best, Noskova should win, but she needs to find her range and avoid unforced errors. The Czech gets the edge to do that.
Prediction: Noskova in 2
Victoria Azarenka vs Magdalena Frech
Head-to-head: First meeting
Last year’s Australian Open semifialist Azarenka is a two-time winner in Doha in 2012 and 2013 and was also the runner-up in 2015. The Belarusian always plays her best tennis on hard courts, but the conditions in Doha suit her particularly well. Frech had an excellent run to the fourth-round of the 2024 Australian Open. She will need to find her very best tennis to trouble the two-time Australian Open champion. Overall, it is unlikely that Frech possesses the weapons to trouble Azarenka consistently.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
