The first WTA tournament of the 2025 Middle East Swing is officially underway in Abu Dhabi. First-round action at the Abu Dhabi Open continues on Tuesday with a handful of marquee matches. Emma Raducanu and Marketa Vondrousova meet in a clash of Grand Slam champions. Who do you think will progress?
WTA Abu Dhabi Day 2 Predictions
Leylah Fernandez vs Moyuka Uchijima
Head-to-head: first meeting
Leylah Fernandez can breathe a sigh of relief after her initial opponent Ekaterina Alexandrova withdrew from the Abu Dhabi Open. The Russian won in Linz last weekend and understandably opted to take a week off. Moyuka Uchijika has replaced her as a lucky loser but is unlikely to pose a threat here. The Japanese has struggled to get going in 2025 with just one main draw win from four tournaments.
Prediction: Fernandez in 2
Magdalena Frech vs Linda Noskova
Head-to-head: Noskova 1-0 Frech
A low-key matchup that has the potential to be of the highest quality. At this time last year, Linda Noskova took the tennis world by storm thanks to her quarterfinal finish at the Australian Open. It was a run that included a massive victory over Iga Swiatek. The Czech’s start to the new season has not gone to plan. A first-round loss in Melbourne means that her ranking has taken considerable damage (dropped to 39th). Frech fared slightly better in January, making the third round of the Australian Open with wins over the in-form Polina Kudermetova and Anna Blinkova. The Pole has the edge but it could honestly go either way.
Prediction: Frech in 3
Belinda Bencic vs Rebecca Sramkova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Belinda Bencic won this tournament on her debut two years ago saving match points in the final. She was unable to defend her crown last year because of pregnancy. This is sensibly her “title defense.” The Swiss owns 15 wins from 20 matches since her return from maternity. Rebecca Srmakova almost single-handedly carried Slovakia to the Billie Jean King Cup title at the tail end of last year. It’s as if that stoic run has stifled her natural game. Maybe she’ll need more time before finding her rhythm.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Emma Raducanu vs Marketa Vondrousova
Head-to-head: Raducanu 1-1 Vondrousova
There are a few notable similarities between Emma Raducanu and Marketa Vondorusova. Both won a Grand Slam title against the odds. Neither has consolidated their breakthrough run because of persistent injuries. Raducanu was forced to miss her first tournament of the new season in Auckland because of a lower back injury. Vondrousova, meanwhile, was pictured in tears moments before she retired from her only event this season in Adelaide because of injury. That was her first competitive appearance since 2024 Wimbledon when she surrendered her title in an opening round defeat. Fans will hope to get their money’s worth by seeing a complete match and it is Raducanu who appears to have slightly better luck with her health.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
