The first half of the Round of 64 WTA Madrid matches will be completed on Thursday. Iga Swiatek faces a rematch from the Miami Open against Alexandra Eala, while Mirra Andreeva takes on Marie Bouzkova. As always, we here at LWOT predict all the contests in our articles, but which players do you think will win?
WTA Madrid Day 3 Predictions
Linda Noskova vs Maria Lourdes Carle
Head-to-head: First meeting
Lourdes Carle, who plays her best tennis on clay, got a great win against Rebecca Sramkova in the opening round. She will need to absorb even more power in the matchup against Noskova. The Czech made a slow start to her clay court season in Rouen, losing in the round of 16. Although Lourdes Carle’s gritty style has the best chance of beating Noskova on clay, the 31st seed is still the favorite to progress in Madrid.
Prediction: Noskova in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Alexandra Eala
Head-to-head: Eala 1-0 Swiatek
Eala’s victory against Swiatek in the Miami Open quarterfinal was one of the most incredible moments of the season so far. Beating the defending champion and four-time French Open winner in Madrid would be an even bigger upset. Eala will try to dominate on return, just as she did in Miami, even though the Madrid clay is quicker than at other tournaments. Although Swiatek does not like the conditions as much as at the Italian Open or Roland Garros, her clay court prowess will probably be enough to ensure revenge in straight-sets.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Karolina Muchova vs Yulia Starodubtseva
Head-to-head: First meeting
Muchova cannot afford any complacency against Starodubtseva, who hammered Linda Fruhvirtova for the loss of just four games in the opening round. The Ukrainian will also not be intimidated by Muchova and always plays an attacking style. However, she is also inconsistent and does not possess the variety and class of Muchova. The 2023 French Open runner-up’s more complete game should be enough to prevail.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Mirra Andreeva vs Marie Bouzkova
Head-to-head: Andreeva 1-0 Bouzkova
Last year, this might have been a worrying matchup for Andreeva. The teenager used to sometimes struggle against very good defensive players like Bouzkova. The 2025 Dubai Championships and Indian Wells Open champion handles that challenge much better now. A Bouzkova upset is not an impossibility, but Andreeva needs to be far below her best.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
