The 2024 WTA Qatar TotalEnergies Open in Doha already gave fans exciting tennis to watch on the opening day, as Day 2 will get even better. Among the top players making their debut at the WTA 1000 event, Markéta Vondroušová will look to rebound after a tough start to 2024. As always, LWOT predicts four of the matches below.
WTA Doha Day 2 Predictions
Peyton Stearns vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: First meeting
Opening up play on Monday, both players are polar opposites on the tennis court with their styles of play. Stearns utilizes an aggressive game that includes net-play, while Mertens counterpunches from the baseline. Stearns hasn’t won a match in 2024 yet, coming in on a four-match losing streak. Against Mertens, a player who rarely misses in big moments, it may be tough for Stearns to find confidence in her groundstrokes. Look for Mertens to win this one.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Wang Xinyu
Head-to-head: Haddad Maia 3-0
Haddad Maia continues to thrive in long matches, which certainly occurred at the Abu Dhabi event last week. The Brazilian No. 1 claimed a 3h42 win over Magda Linette in the second round, while then falling to Daria Kasatkina in the semifinals, a match that lasted over three hours as well. However, Haddad Maia will take confidence in leading the head-to-head against Wang, who has compiled a 5-5 record in 2024 as of now. Wang can pull off the upset over her fatigued opponent, but she’ll have to play her best tennis.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 3
Barbora Krejcikova vs Anastasia Potapova
Head-to-head: 1-1
Krejcikova continues to be a mystery on the WTA Tour, making the quarterfinals of the Australian Open when many expected her to lose early. On the other side of the net, Potapova failed to defend her second career title in Linz, losing in the quarterfinals. The pair hasn’t met since the summer of 2022, as much as changed in each players’ game now. Look for Krecjikova to win this one, dropping the first set but coming back strong.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 3
Markéta Vondrousova vs Greet Minnen
Head-to-head: Vondrousova 2-0
Vondrousova’s last match was a resounding 1-6 2-6 defeat to Dayana Yastremska at the Australian Open, a tournament that saw Yastremska reach the semifinals. Vondrousova had to deal with a right hip injury earlier this season, something noteworthy to keep an eye on this week. Minnen cruised in her first Doha match and has multiple matches behind her due to qualifying last weekend. Expecting a close three-setter, with Vondrousova getting a good win to start a comeback.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Main Photo Credit: Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
