The second WTA 1000 events in as many weeks takes place in Dubai. There are 12 matches to be played on a very busy opening day. Four of those contests are predicted here, including two-time WTA runner-up last year Caroline Garcia’s match against the American Ashlyn Krueger. We at LWOT also predict the outcomes of the other matches in Dubai in two separate articles–featuring Sofia Kenin vs Sorana Cirstea and Sloane Stephens vs Clara Burel. Which players do you think will win?
WTA Dubai Day 1 Predictions
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Magdalena Frech
Head-to-head: Alexandrova 2-2 Frech
Both players came up against opponents who were simply too good last week in Doha. Frech fought well against last year’s Australian Open semifinalist Victoria Azarenka, while Alexandrova was undone in the Round of 16 by Iga Swiatek. The head-to-head between these two is close, and it is a hard one to call. Overall, Frech gets a slight edge. The Pole has a consistent style that can disrupt the big-hitting Alexandrova if she is near her best at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships.
Prediction: Frech in 3
Katerina Siniakova vs Emma Navarro
Head-to-head: Siniakova 1-0 Navarro
Both women had solid tournaments last week in Doha. Siniakova toppled US Open champion Coco Gauff on her way to the Round of 16, while Navarro almost came back to defeat Elena Rybakina to make the quarterfinal. Their only previous meeting was last year on the grass courts at the BAD Homburg Open, where Siniakova thrashed the American 6-2 6-2. It will undoubtedly be closer this time, but I am giving the Czech the advantage again. She is capable of managing Navarro’s consistent style in the conditions at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
Elise Mertens vs Lesia Tsurenko
Head-to-head: Mertens 1-1 Tsurenko
Hopefully, Tsurenko is fully fit for this contest. After beating Ons Jabeur to claim her first Top 10 victory in over five years in Doha, she withdrew from the next round against Naomi Osaka. Navarro lost to Emma Navarro in the second-round in Doha, but I think she will recover here. The Belgian usually responds very well to setbacks and I think her complete style can outlast the Ukrainian veteran at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Caroline Garcia vs Ashlyn Krueger
Head-to-head: First meeting
Garcia’s loss to Naomi Osaka in Doha perfectly demonstrated why she can be so frustrating to watch. For long periods, she played breathtaking tennis but then leaked unforced errors in big moments that cost her. There will be many winners struck in this contest between two powerful players. It is hard to predict Garcia’s matches, and Krueger is certainly capable of triumphing. Overall, Garcia’s superior game if it is firing gets the edge at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships, but that is not a prediction made with any certainty.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Main Photo Credit: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
