More big names are set to grace the stage at WTA Doha on Tuesday with 14 matches on the slate at the Qatar Open. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Aryna Sabalenka vs Ekaterina Alexandrova, Paula Badosa vs Amanda Anisimova and Elena Rybakina vs Peyton Stearns. But who will book their spot in the third round?
WTA Doha Day 3 Predictions
Coco Gauff vs Marta Kostyuk
Head-to-head: Gauff 3-1 Kostyuk
Coco Gauff is a perfect 3-0 against Marta Kostyuk on hard courts. Playing in her first tournament since the Australian Open, the Ukrainian opened her Doha account with a straight sets win over Zeynep Sonmez. While Kostyuk was an impressive 10/12 in break points saved in the match, it indicates there are still some gaps in her game that Gauff can willingly exploit. Assuming the American can shake off the early rust, she’ll motor into the third round.
Prediction: Gauff in 2E
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Liudmila Samsonova vs Jelena Ostapenko
Head-to-head: Samsonova 2-2 Ostapenko
Both Liudmila Samsonova and Jelena Ostapenko faced little resistance in winning their first-round matches at the WTA Doha. Samsonova dispatched Wimbledon quarterfinalist Lulu Sun 6-3 6-3 while Ostapenko dropped just three games against Japanese qualifier Aoi Ito in a rout. Samsonova and Ostapenko are tied at two wins apiece in the head-to-head but surprisingly all four meetings were decided in straight sets. On the evidence of their strong showings here, this has the makings of a three-setter. Provided the rallies are short, Ostapenko’s raw power will shine.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
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Jessica Pegula vs Elina Svitolina
Head-to-head: Pegula 4-2 Svitolina
After a promising start to the year in Adelaide, Jessica Pegula underachieved at the Australian Open. For the second straight season, she failed to reach the second week in Melbourne. Pegula missed last year’s Middle East Swing, so this is a window of opportunity to rack up some valuable ranking points.
Elina Svitolina is a former semifinalist in this tournament and won a titanic opening match against 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 7-5 in the third. Svitolina’s defensive mastery and tactical discipline are among the best in women’s tennis. This might also be the perfect moment for her to play Pegula who might be caught cold after taking an extended time off from tennis.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
