This week’s WTA 1000 event in Dubai is stacked as usual, with all of the world’s top players vying for this prestigious trophy. Iga Swiatek won in Doha last week and is once again the favorite, but she will face plenty of opposition, including that of the current US Open champion Coco Gauff, who will be making her tournament debut on this day 3.
WTA Dubai Day 3 Predictions
Magdalena Frech vs Petra Martic
Head-to-head: first meeting
On paper, this is one of the most even matches of the day, with both players very close in both ranking and ability. Frech seems to be in better from at the moment though, as shown by her excellent campaign at the first Grand Slam event of the season in Australia, where she beat Caroline Garcia and was only stopped by Coco Gauff. She should have the slight edge here.
Predictions: Frech in 3
Tatjana Maria vs Elina Svitolina
Head-to-head: Maria 3-2 Svitolina
Although they’ve faced five times before, the last one was at the US Open all the way back in 2018, so these meetings are hardly very predictive of what might happen tomorrow. As of right now, Svitolina is easily the more solid and consistent player and she should have a clear edge here.
Predictions: Svitolina in 2
Qinwen Zheng vs Nao Hibino
Head-to-head: first meeting
Zheng had an incredible run in Australia, reaching her first ever Grand Slam final and rising all the way up to #7 in the rankings. The young Chinese player has been rising for a while and should continue to do so; despite an early loss in Doha last week, she’s bound to have a strong run here in Dubai and she shouldn’t have many issues in this first round.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
Coco Gauff vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Head-to-head: Gauff 1-1 Cocciaretto
Despite a close loss to Sabalenka in the semifinals, Gauff had a very strong run in Australia, months after winning her first Grand Slam title at the US Open. She is firmly entrenched as a top player and is definitely a candidate to reach #1 in the rankings soon. Her performance in Doha was extremely disappointing, but a strong run here in Dubai should be in the cards for the young American.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
