Day 3 at WTA Brisbane features last year’s runner-up, Aryna Sabalenka, stepping on the court as she aims to go one step better. Familiar opponents, Ons Jabeur and Ekaterina Alexandrova, will also add some spark to what promises to be an exciting round. Who will progress to the next round?
WTA Brisbane Day 3 Predictions
Paula Badosa vs Elina Avanesyan
Head-to-Head: First Meeting
This time last season, Paola Badosa suffered a first-round loss in Adelaide in what was a slow start to her season, but she found her form to finish as one of the standout players of the year, winning the title in Washington and regaining her place in the top #15.
Elina Avanesyan isn’t an opponent to be taken lightly, considering she defeated four top #20 players last season, including Maria Sakkari, at the Australian Open. However, she didn’t look her best as she struggled past Rebecca Sramkova in the first round, and if that’s what she brings to this match, she’ll stand no chance.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Anna Kalinskaya vs Ashlyn Krueger
Head-to-Head: Kalinskaya 0-1 Krueger
Ashlyn Krueger secured a hard-fought win over Moyuka Uchijima in the first to earn her first win in three months. The American can be a difficult opponent, and it won’t be surprising if she raises her game to upset the Russian, who she’s beaten before.
Prediction: Krueger in 3
Ons Jabeur vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-Head: Jabeur 3-7 Alexandrova
Two 30-year-olds meet for the tenth time in their career in what promises to be one of the encounters to look forward to. The Tunisian hadn’t won a match on hardcourts for almost a year till she defeated veteran Saisai Zheng in the previous round, and she wasn’t particularly convincing in a very close contest.
Ekaterina Alexandrova was one of the more solid players last season, and considering her dominance in their head-to-head, I’ll confidently back her to win this comfortably.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Aryna Sabalenka vs Renata Zarazua
Head-to-Head: First Meeting
Renata Zarzua looked solid in her 6-0, 6-3 demolition of Viktoriya Tomova in the previous round to bag her first hardcourt tour-level win outside North America. Still, she’s not defeated a top #20 player in her career and is unlikely to get lucky against last year’s finalist in Brisbane. Sabalenka will sweep through this.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
