Coco Gauff will seek her fifth win over Elise Mertens on Day 4 of the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships, while Belinda Bencic and Elina Svitolina face off in a Top 10 clash of mothers. Who will advance?
WTA Dubai Day 4 Predictions
Amanda Anisimova vs Janice Tjen
Head-to-head: first meeting
Doha was a forgettable title defense for Anisimova. But on the bright side, she can make up for lost points in Dubai. She has allayed any fears of injury after her retirement against Pliskova and was only battling a head cold. This will be a great opportunity to pick up momentum. Janice Tjen is flying under the radar with her high-intensity tennis. Still, if Anisimova is fully fit, it is the American who should have this match firmly under her control.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Alexandra Eala vs Sorana Cirstea
Head-to-head: Cirstea 1-0 Eala
Eala saved two set points in the last round and needed five match points to seal a dramatic victory against Paolini in front of an exuberant crowd. Cirstea is on a seven-match winning streak. She did not drop a set en route to lifting her fourth career title in Cluj-Napoca at the start of the month, and the Romanian has maintained that level in Dubai, beating Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Linda Noskova in straight sets. Cirstea has been a touch steadier, and she’s hit a purple patch since that chaotic loss to Naomi Osaka in Melbourne.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Belinda Bencic vs Elina Svitolina
Head-to-head: Svitolina 3-2 Bencic
Bencic received a walkover in the last round after the in-form Sara Bejlek pulled out of their match due to injury. Svitolina, for her part, progressed with a retirement win against Paula Badosa. Both players will be delighted to reach the last 16 with less physical toll, but Bencic has spent the most time on court between them, taking nearly two hours to win her opening match against Bouzas Maneiro, and she’s handled the tight moments. The Swiss’ advantage is only marginal, but it could be enough to down the World No. 9.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Coco Gauff vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: Gauff 4-0 Mertens
Gauff has shown flashes of top form, but her start to 2026 has been mixed, with a quarterfinal run at the Australian Open quickly followed by a shocking early exit in Doha. Historically, this is a tough period for Gauff, who hasn’t quite played her best tennis in the Middle East in recent years. But every slump can end, and Gauff opened her account this week with a straight-sets win against Anna Kalinskaya. That said, Gauff’s comfort in this matchup tips the scales in her favor to record another emphatic win.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
