The third round at the WTA Cincinnati Open has thrown up some intriguing matches and, as ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match including Coco Gauff vs Dayana Yastremska. Some of the top seeds have already exited the tournament, and it will be interesting to see whether that pattern will continue on Tuesday.
WTA Cincinnati Day 6 Predictions
Clara Tauson vs Veronika Kudermetova
Head-to-head: first meeting
A year ago, Clara Tauson lost in the opening round of qualifying in this tournament. But she’s now a top 15 player after a sensational 2025 season in which she has started to make good on her abundant promise. The Dane is now just three spots shy of climbing into the top eight of the WTA race. But she can expect a stern test from Kudermetova, who has been in excellent form so far at WTA Cincinnati and dismissed Belinda Bencic in straight sets. Both players are massive ball strikers from the baseline, but Tauson has more refined power to hold off the Russian.
Prediction: Tauson in 3
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Ella Seidel vs McCartney Kessler
Head-to-head: first meeting
This is a third-round match that not many expected. Ella Seidel shocked eighth-seeded Emma Navarro for probably the best win of her young career. Kessler, for her part, ousted an in-form Caty McNally, who was playing in front of her crowd. Seidel is not to be underestimated if she can maintain a high first serve percentage in this one, but Kessler’s defensive discipline, which has already seen her ranking skyrocket in the last 12 months, could prove decisive.
Prediction: Kessler in 3
Karolina Muchova vs Varvara Gracheva
Head-to-head: first meeting
Karolina Muchova almost won her biggest WTA title in Cincinnati two summers ago. It’s quite commendable that the Czech has maintained a top 20 ranking given her persistent injury troubles as well as being a reminder of how good Muchova can be when she is fit. Varvara Gracheva can be similarly effective at her best but plays with a low margin for error, which means that she can easily overhit her shots. Muchova’s variety and touch should force the Frenchwoman into spraying errors.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
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Barbora Krejcikova vs Iva Jovic
Head-to-head: first meeting
Barbora Krejcikova’s three-set victory over Elina Svitolina was undoubtedly her best since she returned from injury. It’s the first time she’s tallied two wins in Cincinnati since 2021. Iva Jovic’s maiden appearance in this tournament has been an unforgettable experience. She lost in qualifying but entered the main draw as a lucky loser and is coming off a stunning straight-sets win against Krejcikova’s countrywoman, Linda Noskova. Jovic won’t be afraid of stepping in and taking the ball early and staying aggressive, but Krejcikova’s experience in exposive movement patterns will likely be sufficient to avoid an upset.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
