Paula Badosa and Olympic silver medalist Donna Vekic will play their opening matches of the WTA Merida Open on Day 3 after being given byes into the round of 16. Four contests are scheduled in total, and we at LWOT predict them all in this article. But which players do you think will reach the quarterfinals?
WTA Merida Day 3 Predictions
Daria Saville vs Anhelina Kalinina
Head-to-head: Kalinina 1-0 Saville
Saville’s game is based on defense, and she used the slow conditions in Merida to perfection to shock Marta Kostyuk in the opening round. The Australian has a chance of beating Kalinina if her retrieval skills are that good again. However, Kalinina thrives most when she has time on her shots. Saville will not make it easy, but I expect the Ukrainian to enjoy this matchup more than her compatriot Kostyuk did.
Prediction: Kalinina in 2
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro vs Elina Avanesyan
Head-to-head: Bouzas Maneiro 1-1 Avanesyan
This could be a very lengthy match. Neither woman possesses colossal firepower, and the lack of pace in the courts will only extend the rallies further. Avanesyan’s mentality might make the difference in this matchup. She does not mind if it takes hours to win matches. Although Bouzas Maneiro is capable of scrapping, the Spaniard might eventually become frustrated by not being able to get the ball past the gritty Avanesyan.
Prediction: Avanesyan in 2
Donna Vekic vs Maya Joint
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is a dangerous opening round for Wimbledon semifinalist Vekic. The Croatian was meant to play in the opening round as the fifth seed but received a late bye after Anna Kalinskaya withdrew from the tournament. 18-year-old Joint is phenomenally talented and has made a strong start to 2025. By contrast, three of Vekic’s four events this year have ended in opening-round losses. The Croatian’s blistering power might be something Joint is not used to and make the difference, but an upset would not be overly surprising.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Paula Badosa vs Jaqueline Cristian
Head-to-head: Cristian 1-0 Badosa
Badosa’s results have been mixed since reaching the Australian Open semifinal. Her last match against Elena Rybakina at the Dubai Tennis Championships ended in defeat despite holding six match points. Cristian needs to find a way of dominating with her forehand to have a chance in this contest. She prefers playing in slow conditions, but the courts are not high-bouncing, which reduces the impact of her topspin forehand. Badosa should have enough to prevail.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
