There is a very busy day of action scheduled at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships, with 16 matches set to be played and, as always, we here at LWOT are offering our predictions for every match on the slate in the UAE, including Aryna Sabalenka vs Donna Vekic, Iga Swiatek vs Sloane Stephens, and Coco Gauff vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto. But who will advance?
WTA Dubai Day 3 Predictions
Maria Sakkari vs Emma Navarro
Head-to-head: Navarro 1-0 Sakkari
Last year’s Guadalajara champion Maria Sakkari had a very tough loss to Linda Noskova last week in Doha. She served for the match in the second set but ended up falling to defeat. Her current inconsistency could make Emma Navarro a tough proposition. The American is one of the most consistent players on the tour and will make the Greek play a lot of extra balls. The relatively fast conditions in Dubai make me give a slight edge to Sakkari. It will make it slightly more difficult for Navarro to extend the points, which could be key at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Veronika Kudermetova vs Sorana Cirstea
Head-to-head: Cirstea 1-0 Kudermetova
Sorana Cirstea was very impressive in her straight sets win against Sofia Kenin in the opening round. However, the Romanian can be very inconsistent and predicting her matches is tricky. Veronika Kudermetova, meanwhile, overcame Australian Open semifinalist Dayana Yastremska in the first round. The conditions suit the games of both players pretty well. Picking a winner is tough, but the big serve of Kudermetova gives her a slight edge at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Anna Kalinskaya vs Cristina Bucsa
Head-to-head: Kalinskaya 1-0 Bucsa
Anna Kalinskaya won both of her qualifying matches in straight sets and then carried that form into her 6-1 6-2 triumph against Storm Hunter. Cristina Bucsa lost in qualifying and is playing this match as a lucky loser. The Spaniard will be determined to make the most of this opportunity but another victory for Kalinskaya is likeliest outcome. She is playing extremely well in conditions suited to her flat hitting from the baseline. Expect her to implement that style effectively again at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
Elena Rybakina vs Victoria Azarenka
Head-to-head: Rybakina 2-0 Azarenka
This should be a terrific contest. Despite Rybakina’s two previous wins against Azarenka, the Belarusian does possess a game that can cause the 2022 Wimbledon champion problems. Her consistent hitting can exploit the movement of Rybakina. The Kazakhstani’s serve is crucial in this matchup. Azarenka does not react quite as quickly as she used to on return. Rybakina’s formidable serve gives her a slight advantage at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships but this could be a close battle.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
