The action continues on the third day of the WTA 1000 event in Doha. Three-time Grand Slam runner-up Ons Jabeur’s first match of the tournament is one of three predicted in this article. We at LWOT also have predictions for the rest of the day’s contests in Doha, including Coco Gauff vs Katerina Siniakova. Who do you think will advance to the next round?
WTA Doha Day 3 Predictions
Qinwen Zheng vs Magda Linette
Head-to-Head: Linette 1-0 Zheng
This is the 2023 WTA most improved player of the year – Zheng’s –first match since her run to the Australian Open final. It will be interesting to observe whether she can immediately regain the rhythm she had. Last year’s Australian Open semifinalist, Linette, is a tricky first-round opponent. The Pole is a grinder, who will make her opponent play a lot of extra balls. Zheng could find herself in trouble if she is not striking the ball near her best. I will back Zheng to come through, but a Linette upset would not be a huge surprise in the Chinese player’s first match back.
Prediction: Zheng in 3
Danielle Collins vs Marie Bouzkova
Head-to-Head: Collins 1-1 Bouzkova
Collins’ level has been very good in the early stages of what she says is her last WTA season. She came extremely close to beating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open and Elena Rybakina in Abu Dhabi. That level saw her topple 13th seed Veronika Kudermetova in straight sets in the first round in Doha. Bouzkova’s style is somewhat similar to Linette’s, and she will focus on making Collins play an extra shot, but I do not see that stopping the American. If anything, in her current form, the relative lack of pace on Bouzkova’s shots will suit Collins even more to place her powerful groundstrokes.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Ons Jabeur vs Lesia Tsurenko
Head-to-Head: Jabeur 1-1 Tsurenko
Jabeur received a bye in the first round as the No. 4 seed in Doha. it is her first match since she broke down in tears during her straight-set loss to WTA Elite Trophy champion Beatriz Haddad Maia in Abu Dhabi. The setback was somewhat surprising since it seemed like the Tunisian may have gained some momentum after a very good performance in the opening round against Emma Raducanu. Tsurenko got a welcome win against Zeynep Sonmez in the first round. She had previously only managed one game in her previous four sets against Aryna Sabalenka and Liudmila Samsonova. It is hard to predict Jabeur’s matches since her Wimbledon loss last year, but I will back her to do enough to get back on track here.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
