The WTA Doha Open has already produced much excellent tennis and day three promises to be no different with plenty of star power on show. As always, we here at LWOT are offering ur predictions for every match on the slate, including Ons Jabeur vs Lesia Tsurenko, but who will come out on top?
WTA Doha Day 3 Predictions
Marta Kostyuk vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Both players impressed with powerful displays in the opening round. Marta Kostyuk took out Caroline Dolehide in straight sets, while Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova also won in two sets against last year’s WTA Elite Trophy semifinalist Daria Kasatkina. Expect many impressive winners in this contest between two clean-hitters from the baseline. Overall, Kostyuk gets a slight edge. Her backhand could be the difference, which was firing in the last round. By contrast, it is Pavlyuchenkova’s weaker shot.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
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Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Erika Andreeva
Head-to-head: first meeting
Ekaterina Alexandrova elected not to play last week after reaching the final in Linz, where she lost to Jelena Ostapenko. However, the WTA Doha Open is not a tournament where Alexandrova has had much success in her previous appearances. Erika Andreeva, meanwhile, has been playing some good tennis lately. This includes an impressive triumph in the opening-round in Doha against the recent champion in Cluj-Napoca Diana Shnaider. Alexnadrova is the higher ranked player by a distance, but Andreeva might just catch her opponent cold and cause an upset after her recent performances.
Prediction: Andreeva in 3
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Paula Badosa vs Leylah Fernandez
Head-to-head: Badosa 3-0 Fernandez
It was great to see Paula Badosa back on court so soon after retiring with injury at the Hua Hin Championships less than two weeks ago. This sparked fears of more serious injury concerns for the Spaniard but she seems to be okay. The head-to-head may be in Badosa’s favour, but this will be a tough match for her. Leylah Fernandez has been playing some very good tennis since the closing months of 2023. Badosa will need to serve very well, because there is a good chance Fernandez will have the the edge in the rallies so soon into Badosa’s comeback from a long injury last season. The Canadian to win at the WTA Doha Open.
Prediction: Fernandez in 2
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Coco Gauff vs Katerina Siniakova
Head-to-head: Gauff 5-1 Siniakova
A first match back after not playing for a few weeks can sometimes be tricky. However, this is a good matchup for Coco Gauff. Katerina Siniakova is a very good player with plenty of experience, but the American has beaten her in their last five meetings. The Czech does strike the ball well from the baseline, but it is unlikely that she can hit with enough penetration to consistently cause Gauff serious issues. The 19-year-old’s superior movement and hitting means an upset is very unlikely in this one. Gauff to prevail in straight sets.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
