Day 5 of the WTA 1000 in Doha promises a full slate of mouthwatering quarterfinal matches, with four Major champions and four Major finalists in action. You could say Day 5 is giving major “Major” vibes. World no. 1 Iga Swiatek will take on former world no. 1 Victoria Azarenka, while Naomi Osaka continues to regain her devastating form. Who will push through to the semifinals?
WTA Doha Day 5 Predictions
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Danielle Collins
Head-to-head: Collins 3 -0 Pavlyuchenkova
On her way to the quarters, Collins posted wins over Kudermetova, Bouzkova and Siniakova and will look to continue her devastating form when she takes on Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. They both play first-strike tennis, but Collins has won all three of their previous meetings. The most recent was in Cincinnati in 2023, when Pavlyuchenkova was returning from serious knee injury. While Pavlyuchenkova’s form is much improved since then and she will be poised to put up a good fight, Collins is playing inspired tennis in what she says will be her final year on tour.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Leylah Fernandez vs Elena Rybakina
Head-to-head: first meeting
Leading Team Canada to their first-ever victory in the Billie Jean King Cup has unleashed a more confident and aggressive Leyla Fernandez, who is a tenacious competitor, no matter who is across the net. Case in point taking out no. 5 seed Qinwen Zheng to land in the quarterfinals. If she can make inroads on Rybakina’s serve, Fernandez has the weaponry to pull the Russian into uncomfortable positions. But unless Rybakina has a bad day serving, there’s no reason she shouldn’t come out on top.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Naomi Osaka vs Karolina Pliskova
Head-to-head: Pliskova 4-2 Osaka
Two former world no. 1 players go head-to-head in a rematch of their meeting in Brisbane last month. Pliskova prevailed in the three-set thriller, with the outcome uncertain until the very end. While it’s only been a month since that match, Osaka’s comeback has seen her morph into familiar, dangerous form. She received a walkover in the previous round–perhaps a welcome breather going into this match – and will be looking to avenge the loss down under. The slower courts will give Osaka the chance to neutralize Pliskova’s serve and take control.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
Victoria Azarenka vs Iga Swiatek
Head-to-head: Swiatek 2 -1 Azarenka
World No. 1 and two-time defending Doha champion Iga Swiatek should be happy to see Victoria Azarenka instead of Jelena Ostapenko who’s proven a thorny prospect for Swiatek and who the Belarussian beat to advance to the quarterfinals. The slower courts in Doha suit Swiatek, who can build points without feeling rushed. But with Azarenka hitting off the rise on the baseline she can find ways to steal time from her opponents. Swiatek’s only straight-set win over Azarenka came on the clay and with the courts here playing slow, it will be to Swiatek’s advantage. She will also look to apply pressure by attacking Azarenka’s second serve; expect Azarenka to fight to the last point.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
