The second day of this loaded WTA tournament in Doga will hopefully be as dramatic as the opening day. Three matches are previewed in this article with others available on the Last Word On Tennis site. We split the matches between three other articles, featuring Simona Halep vs Caroline Garcia, Ana Konjuh vs Anett Kontaveit, and Shelby Rogers vs Coco Gauff. Let’s see who may win through into the next round.
WTA Doha Predictions Day 2
Alison Riske vs Magda Linette
Head-to-head: Riske 5-0 Linette
It is very unusual to see a head-to-head record as one-sided as this one. In reality Linette hasn’t even got particularly close to winning one of their previous five meetings either, only two sets won across the twelve played. To deepen the misery further for the Pole all of the matches were on hard court as well. However, Riske isn’t in good form at the moment and this could be the chance Linette needs. I think the Pole might win a set but the American should see this as a great opportunity to snap her poor streak.
Prediction: Riske in 3
Jil Teichmann vs Angelique Kerber
Head-to-head: 1-0 Teichmann
There’s a lot to like in Teichmann’s performances this year. She has only won half of her last ten matches, but losing in three sets to Anett Kontaveit and in the Australian Open to Victoria Azarenka is nothing to be worried about. Kerber has become rarely spotted on tour this season. She has played only one match and that was a loss to Kaia Kanepi in Melbourne. On all known information the only prediction can be for Teichmann to defeat Kerber as she did in their meeting late last season.
Prediction: Teichmann in 2
Garbine Muguruza vs Sorana Cirstea
Head-to-head: Muguruza 4-0 Cirstea
Speaking of one-sided career records, the Spaniard well and truly has the Romanian pegged. Cirstea has yet to even win a set in this matchup, not even five games in a set even. Muguruza hasn’t been that impressive this season, which is surprising because she ended the previous one so well and she’s usually excellent in these early season hard court tournaments. She must be motivated for a big run here in Doha and couldn’t have asked for a better opponent here. This should be a comfortable win for the WTA Tour Finals winner.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
