Iga Swiatek lost her Doha crown (she was a three-time defending champion) and is now trying to rebound at WTA Dubai. The Pole has never won this event before, losing in the 2023 final to Barbora Krejcikova. After blasting Victoria Azarenka off the court on Tuesday, she’s now taking on former Australian Open semifinalist Dayana Yastremska in the third round. Who do you think will advance?
WTA Dubai Day 4 Predictions
McCartney Kessler vs Karolina Muchova
Head-to-head: First meeting
McCartney Kessler had already won a WTA Tour title this year (Hobart), but now she’s also getting some marquee wins this week – last week’s Doha champion Amanda Anisimova and Coco Gauff. She’s got an interesting matchup here again with Karolina Muchova, who skipped the tournament last week and is just starting her Middle East swing here. The Czech is recently playing at a level that puts her right back among the elite and her variety should let her make Kessler a bit uncomfortable.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Linda Noskova vs Jessica Pegula
Head-to-head: First meeting
Linda Noskova has been playing so well in the Middle East this year, making the semifinals in Abu Dhabi and losing a thriller to Iga Swiatek in Doha. The conditions in Dubai suit her game nicely and she’s already taken out Yulia Putintseva and Diana Shnaider. No reason why she can’t touch Jessica Pegula too, should be a nice flat-hitting contest. It’s tough to say if the American will be as consistent this season as in the years prior, but a fired-up youngster like Noskova should at least have a shot at the upset.
Prediction: Noskova in 3
Sorana Cirstea vs Emma Navarro
Head-to-head: First meeting
Emma Navarro isn’t firing on all cylinders like she was last year, but she still managed to produce a quarterfinal run at the Australian Open. The win over Belinda Bencic in the opening round here was also high-quality and now she’ll need to go again on the very same day. The good news for her is that Sorana Cirstea is in a similar situation, posting a 3-set win over Alycia Parks Wednesday morning. While Navarro had the more physical duel, she should have enough time to recover and take down the veteran.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Dayana Yastremska
Head-to-head: Yastremska 1-0
Conditions in Dubai don’t suit Iga Swiatek as well as the ones in Doha, but it’s not like she’s not a threat at this event. Last couple of seasons she made the final in 2023 and the semifinals in 2024 before demolishing Victoria Azarenka in her opening round on Tuesday. Dayana Yastremska can be so dangerous on her day, but the hit-or-miss playstyle is a double-edged sword. She’ll throw the kitchen sink at Swiatek and try to neutralize her like Jelena Ostapenko did a few days ago. Is she likely to fail? Yes, but it’s doable with perfect execution.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – Imagn Images
