There will be a handful of competitive matches on Day 3 of the WTA Abu Dhabi Open. Second seed Paula Badosa faces a tricky opener against Czech talent Linda Noskova while Ons Jabeur will aim to reach the quarterfinals in this tournament for the second time. As always, we here at LWOT predict all eight second-round matches including Elena Rybakina vs Katie Volynets. Who will advance?
WTA Abu Dhabi Day 3 Predictions
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Magda Linette
Head-to-head: Pavlyuchenkova 3-1 Linette
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has regularly struggled to replicate some of her best results from deep Grand Slam runs in subsequent tournaments. But there is a sense of continuity in her game following the momentum she built at the Australian Open. She demolished Sofia Kenin in two routine sets on Tuesday. The Russian did not face a single break point. Magda Linette was slightly fortunate to avoid a three-setter against Renata Zarazua. The Mexican led 4-2 in the second set and had two set points but could not convert any. Linette is unlikely to get such reprieve against the in-form Pavlyuchenkova who is playing with so much belief and assurance.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Ons Jabeur vs Wakana Sonobe
Head-to-head: first meeting
Ons Jabeur secured a precious straight-sets win against Jelena Ostapenko in the standout match on Tuesday. This is akin to her home tournament. Jabeur tends to draw a lot of crowd support in the Middle East as the Arab No. 1 player. Wakana Sonobe was sensational in qualifying and has carried that form in the main draw. The young Japanese upset World No. 55 Yuan Yue in the first round and is yet to lose a set. Even with an expected loss to the accomplished Tunisian, Sonobe has plenty of reasons to celebrate (guaranteed top 500 debut).
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Yulia Putintseva vs Marketa Vondrousova
Head-to-head: Vondrousova 2-0 Putintseva
Yulia Putintseva’s top 20 breakthrough at the age of 30 has gone unnoticed. She cascaded to 21st because of her inactivity after the Australian Open, but she won’t defend any points this week. Six wins from nine matches is a healthy return for a player who has historically underperformed at this stage of the season. Marketa Vondrousova won the much-anticipated clash of Grand Slam champions against Emma Raducanu in straight sets. Vondrousova hasn’t won back-to-back matches on a hard court in precisely a year. Although the Czech lefty owns a perfect 3-0 record in the series, she’ll be up against a different version of Putintseva who is maximizing her physical gifts and has a more simplified game these days.
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Paula Badosa vs Linda Noskova
Head-to-head: first meeting
On the eve of the tournament, Paula Badosa revealed that she was physically and mentally in a dark place during her injury hiatus. But thankfully, her back pain subsided in the last eight months and she was able to enjoy a career resurgence. Her memorable Australian Open run pushed her into the top 10 and is the second seed this week. Linda Noskova is not seeded but made short work of Magdalena Frech in the first round. She dropped just three games in a dominant performance. If Badosa plays anywhere near the level she displayed in Melbourne, she’ll be a handful for the talented Czech.
Prediction: Badosa in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
