Day 3 at the WTA 250 in Hobart continues with former runner-up Elisabetta Cocciaretto still in the running to better her 2023 performance as she faces Ann Li. It is among six matches lined up in Hobart, and in this article we predict three of those encounters about who will advance to the next round.
WTA Hobart Day 3 Predictions
Solana Sierra vs Antonia Ruzic
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Antonia Ruzic opened Hobart with a composed straight sets win over seventh seed Emiliana Arango, advancing to the round of 16 with a 7-5, 6-1 win. The world No. 71 will meet Solana Sierra for the second time after Sierra outlasted Caty McNally 1-6 4-6 6-1.
Ruzic sits seven places below Sierra in the rankings and holds a 2024 hard-court Challenger win over Sierra in their only prior meeting. Their week suggests momentum swings, as shown in their encounters, so it won’t be surprising to see another end-to-end match with the Croatian, who has more variety, and grab another victory.
Prediction: Ruzic in 3
Ann Li vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Head–to–Head: Li 1 – 0 Cocciaretto
Ann Li dug deep to defeat fellow American Katie Volynets and reach the Round of 16, conceding a set before winning 4-6 7-5 6-2.
Li will face Elisabetta Cocciaretto for the second time after the Italian beat Ayano Shimizu 6-3 6-4. Li beat Cocciaretto 6-3 6-4 in Guangzhou last October and will be confident heading into this rematch.
This one could hinge on Li’s baseline consistency and weaponry; if she stays solid and takes control, she has a good shot at a quarterfinal berth.
Prediction: Li in 3
Tatjana Maria vs Anna Bondar
Head–to–Head: Maria 4 – 1 Bondar
Tatjana Maria needed 87 long minutes to defeat 45-year-old Venus Williams in the opening round after being upset by Australian teenager, Emerson Jones, in Brisbane. Her opponent in the next round is a familiar one, having played each other five times on the main tour, with the veteran German dominating their head-to-head
Anna Bondár has had a blistering start to the season, winning three out of four, showing resilience and improving results, serving Ella Seidel a bagel and breadfruit in the previous round.
Although Maria’s comparative track record, especially on hard courts, favours her, Bondar has shown she can challenge on hard courts, and her recent form includes wins over strong opponents. The Hungarian certainly nicks a set in this one, and probably the match.
Prediction: Bondar in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
