Second-round action begins at the WTA National Bank Open on Thursday in Toronto with some exciting matches throughout the day. #2 seed Aryna Sabalenka and last year’s finalist Liudmila Samsonova will be in action. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate for Day 3. But who will advance to the next round?
WTA Toronto Day 3 Predictions
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Katie Boulter
Head-to-Head: Haddad Maia 0-2 Boulter
Beatriz Haddad Maia was broken when she was serving for her first-round match in the third set but she played a fantastic tiebreak to finish the job in the end. It was an exhausting match ,and the Brazilian upped her level in important moments. Katie Boulter was also in a battle in the first round but it was a much more straightforward third set for her. Boulter looked good behind her first serve, winning 76% of the points. Haddad Maia is a former finalist at the National Bank Open. But consistency has been a problem with her and Boulter has got her number twice this year already.
Prediction: Boulter in 3
Marina Stakusic vs Taylor Townsend
Head-to-Head: First meeting
19-year-old Marina Stakusic got her first WTA tour win in her home town. Her groundstrokes were impressive in the first round but she has to improve her serve. She hit 16 double faults in the match and was struggling towards the end with her health. Taylor Townsend got in to play the first round as a lucky loser and she made the most of it. She hasn’t had a good season in singles and will take any wins she can get. This is a winnable match for Townsend with Stakusic’s fitness in doubt.
Prediction: Townsend in 3
Liudmila Samsonova vs Moyuka Uchijima
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Liudmila Samsonova had a great run to the finals last year and has a lot of points to defend. Samsonova had to retire in her round of 16 match against Paula Badosa at the Citi Open last week. Hopefully that was just precautionary and she can get to a good start here. Moyuka Uchijima was on a five-match losing streak at the tour level before coming to Toronto. Her success this week suggests she has found her form and is ready to challenge the top players. However, Samsonova will be too big an ask for her at this stage.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Aryna Sabalenka vs Yue Yuan
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Aryna Sabalenka has not been in her best form lately and must hope for a deep run this week. Sabalenka looks low on confidence on court and a title here at the National Bank Open would cheer her up. Yue Yuan got a fantastic win over Cristina Bucsa in the first round but unfortunately for her Sabalenka is on a completely different level. Sabalenka has a good draw this week and making a strong start would be her priority. I would be surprised if she doesn’t win in straight sets.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
