The second day of second-round action has arrived in Auckland, featuring four exciting matches. Following news that Emma Raducanu won’t have to qualify for the Australian Open, she’ll now have an opportunity to take on a Top 30 player for the first time in her comeback, facing off against Elina Svitolina. As the last match scheduled on the stadium court, it should be a great measure to see where Raducanu is at in her comeback. Meanwhile, World No. 3 Coco Gauff takes on a young talent three years younger than her, Brendan Fruhvirtova. Which players will advance to the quarterfinals?
WTA Auckland Day 4 Predictions
Yue Yuan vs Petra Martic
Head-to-head: First meeting
Martic hasn’t fared too well in Auckland throughout her career. Despite being seeded as high as second in the tournament in the 2020 edition, she’s yet to reach the quarterfinals of the event. She struggled in the first set of her opening match against Rebeka Masarova, but did well to win in three sets. Meanwhile, this is Yuan’s first time in Auckland, as she reached the second round after a nearly three-hour match against Kayla Day. The Chinese No. 5 climbed the rankings after a breakthrough week at the 2023 WTA 250 event in Seoul, where she made her first WTA tour-level final. A win on Thursday would also mark her fifth career Top 50 victory, further cementing herself as a threat in the late stages of tournaments.
Both players are grinders on the court, able to withstand a multitude of long rallies. While Yuan stands close to the baseline, Martic has a bit more variety that includes a strong net game. The Croat also utilizes a slice backhand, which will look to force errors on Yuan’s side. Ultimately, it should come down to whoever can take advantage of big points. Notably, both players capitalized on less than half of break point opportunities, an important statistic for this match. With Yuan’s rising form as of late, she might just have the edge.
Prediction: Yuan in 3
Lulu Sun vs Varvara Gracheva
Head-to-head: First meeting
Gracheva survived a tough opening round against Tereza Martincova, saving two match points in a 2h40 encounter. Ranked near her career-high spot of No. 40, the Frenchwoman will look to reach a fourth WTA tour-level quarterfinal of her career. Meanwhile, Sun is looking for her own breakthrough this week, a hero for clinching the 2021 NCAA Women’s Championships for the University of Texas. After qualifying for the main draw, she took out fellow qualifier Mccartney Kessler 6-2 6-2 for her first WTA-tour level win. Sun’s win on Tuesday also guarantees a new career-high ranking. Gracheva’s shakiness could perhaps give Sun confidence going into this match, but the Frenchwoman has enough experience playing lower-ranked opponents. Don’t rule out a close first set, but Gracheva should be able to reach the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Gracheva in 2
Emma Raducanu vs Elina Svitolina
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is certainly the match of the day. Both players had wildly different first-round matches, with Svitolina winning far more easily against rival Caroline Wozniacki. Raducanu had to battle past Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3 4-6 7-5, firing 39 winners along the way. The Ukrainian was similarly offensive in her first match, hitting 25 winners in a much shorter match. With rust shaken off, the Brit will look to use her aggressive game against Svitolina, a player who rarely wears out on the court. Meanwhile, Svitolina should have a lot of confidence in defeating one of the most talented unseeded players.
Svitolina is statistically the favorite in this matchup, especially as she thrives off of her opponent’s unforced errors. With Raducanu still adjusting back to tour life, unforced errors are still her biggest weakness. If Svitolina can stay consistent, she should be able to win this match. However, I wouldn’t rule out a Raducanu upset, given the Brit likely gained much confidence after her first match. Consistency is just the biggest deal breaker at the moment.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Coco Gauff vs Brenda Fruhvirtova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Fruhvirtova has been a winning machine at the ITF level throughout her young and promising career. Just 16 years old, she’s picked up 15 ITF titles in the past two seasons. In Auckland, her first-round win over Anna Blinkova was in fact her maiden top 50 win, suggesting a continued rise to the top of women’s tennis is in store for her this season.
However, Gauff continues to be a formidable opponent for any lower-ranked player. The American has only lost to one player outside the Top 100 in 2023, and that was to a peaking Sofia Kenin at Wimbledon. She’ll know how to expose Fruhvirtova’s weaknesses, which may be nerves given the big stage of this occasion. Gauff will have to serve consistent tennis and keep the double-fault count low. If she can do that, Gauff should cruise into the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
