The Mubdala Citi DC Open is back for its 11th year in America’s capital as this WTA Washington event has blossomed into a competitive 500-level tournament. Many top seeds will be in action on Day 3, looking to punch their ticket into the quarterfinals. Familiar foes Elina Svitolina squares off against Daria Kasatkina in a matinee match on stadium court. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings around DC. But who will advance?
WTA Washington Day 3 Predictions
Belinda Bencic vs Lauren Davis
Head-to-Head: Bencic 3-0 Davis
No. 6 seed Belinda Bencic takes on American qualifier Lauren Davis with a spot in the Mubdala Citi DC Open quarterfinals on the line. Although all their encounters have been tight, Bencic holds the 3-0 head-to-head advantage. The 26-year-old Canadian is starting to look like herself again. She is playing with confidence and holds an 8-3 record since the beginning of April. I see her notching another win against Davis in this match.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Jennifer Brady vs Madison Keys
Head-to-Head: Brady 1-0 Keys
Compatriots Jennifer Brady and Madison Keys will square off in what should be a terrific Round 2 match in Washington DC. Brady did not miss a beat in her return to the WTA Tour. Despite not playing a professional match for nearly two years, she blasted world no. 28 Anhelina Kalinina in Round 1. The former world no. 13 has always been a strong hardcourt player and certainly lived up to that billing against Kalinina. She must bring her A-game to get past Keys. The no. 7 seed is 10-1 dating back to late June and looks to have refound her top-ten level. Brady should hang tough in this match, but ultimately the power and consistency of Keys’ groundstrokes will be the difference.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Liudmila Samsonova vs Sorana Cirstea
Head-to-Head: first meeting
No. 8 seed Liudmila Samsonova squares off against veteran Romanian Sorana Cirstea with a spot in the Mubadala Citi DC Open quarterfinals on the line. Both women played solid Round 1 matches to get past their opponents in straight sets. That said, they both struggled through the grass season and could use a deep run to begin the North American hardcourt swing. I expect Samsonova to dictate the play of this match. She is imposing from the baseline and struck the ball well in her opening-round win.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Hailey Baptiste vs Coco Gauff
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Qualifier Hailey Baptiste takes on no. 3 seed Coco Gauff in an all-American second-round showdown. Baptiste overcame a 0-6 second-set loss to Karolina Pliskova in the first round. Although the 21-year-old has had a solid season, she does not have the firepower or consistency to keep up with her younger compatriot. Gauff should be able to control this match from the baseline.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Elina Svitolina vs Daria Kasatkina
Head-to-Head: Svitolina 7-0 Kasatkina
Elina Svitolina has dominated her head-to-head against Daria Kasatkina. The former world no. 3 has won all seven matches they have played, including a straight-set victory a couple of months back at Roland Garros. Both women have had strong seasons and are coming off solid grass-court runs. Svitolina seems to be finding her groove after reaching the Wimbledon semifinals. This should be a competitive, high-level match, but I give the slight edge to Svitolina. Her 7-0 head-to-head mark against Kasatikina will be in the back of the Russian’s mind should this match go to a decider.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
