The 2023 WTA Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart continues to produce some absurdly good orders of play. Not only do we get another Barbora Krejcikova vs Aryna Sabalenka, the World No. 6 also battles the World No. 13 in the first round! And that’s really just the tip of the iceberg. Who do you think will come out on top?
WTA Stuttgart Day 3 Predictions
Karolina Pliskova vs Maria Sakkari
Head-to-head: 3-3
This has been a pretty heated matchup over the years and they’ve already played each other twice in 2023. They also split their only two clay-court meetings, both in Rome (2018 and 2019). The faster clay also suits them both with Karolina Pliskova taking the title here five years ago, while Maria Sakkari was unlucky to be forced to retire here last year. As such, this looks like another meeting between them that is very hard to predict. Pliskova usually looks really good at this venue though.
Prediction: Pliskova in 3
Coco Gauff vs Veronika Kudermetova
Head-to-head: Kudermetova 1-0
Veronika Kudermetova beat Coco Gauff in Doha earlier this year. Now they’re meeting on the American’s turf (clay), but are they? The indoor courts in Stuttgart play much faster and will give Kudermetova some options in terms of rushing the youngster’s forehand. However, her form has been really uninspiring and she just doesn’t present the sort of quality that would make you think she’s going to stick around the top 10. Gauff will.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Jule Niemeier vs Elena Rybakina
Head-to-head: First meeting
Jule Niemeier has been showing her peak level mostly at the Slams recently, struggling to grab wins consistently. She’s got a huge game though and no one would be shocked if she peaked and eliminated Elena Rybakina here. She also played a Billie Jean King Cup match in this venue over the weekend, while the Kazakh was battling Poland at home (also on indoor clay). Rybakina’s so mentally tough that she’ll probably take it, but could be in trouble if we see an inspired display from Niemeier.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
Ons Jabeur vs Jelena Ostapenko
Head-to-head: Ostapenko 2-1
Jelena Ostapenko simply smashed Emma Raducanu off the court in the opening round. She’s never done that well in Stuttgart, which is somewhat surprising given the conditions seem almost tailor-made for her. The Latvian is having a good campaign and could very well trouble Ons Jabeur here. Despite her recent Charleston title, the World No. 4 could be vulnerable in her first match here. Ostapenko will throw the kitchen sink at her and we’ll see if she manages to hold off the onslaught.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Barbora Krejcikova vs Aryna Sabalenka
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 4-1
Barbora Krejcikova and Aryna Sabalenka are meeting for the fourth time in 2023 already. The Czech managed to grab a comeback win in Dubai, but has since been dispatched by her rival twice during the Sunshine Double. If Krejcikova really wants to be considered as one of the best four players of the year along with Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Sabalenka, she needs to be more competitive here than she was in Miami. The Belarusian loves these indoor courts though and made the final in both editions played.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
