It promises to be an entertaining fourth day at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships with 12 matches on the schedule in the UAE. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match including Iga Swiatek vs Dayana Yastremska. But who will advance?
WTA Dubai Day 4 Predictions
Sofia Kenin vs Jasmine Paolini
Head-to-head: Kenin 2-0 Paolini
Jasmine Paolini won the biggest title of her career in Dubai last year and has 1000 points to defend this week. So far she’s pushed past Eva Lys, but this will likely be more challenging. Sofia Kenin’s form finally looks to have recovered as she’s posting good wins almost every week and delivering a repeatable level. But that three-hour battle with Marta Kostyuk probably took a lot out of her and Jasmine Paolini might be able to take advantage. Kenin will need to find a peak performance again here, but Paolini looks the likelier winner.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
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Elena Rybakina vs Paula Badosa
Head-to-head: Badosa 4-3 Rybakina
Paula Badosa used to be dominant in this head-to-head before Elena Rybakina beat her twice during the Sunshine Double of 2023. They haven’t played each other since and it’s an interesting twist as the Spaniard is pretty much playing the tennis of her career at the moment. Rybakina’s situation, with her coach having been banned must be tough to handle off the court, but for what it’s worth she’s been able to stay composed during matches. While some concerns about her level remain, she’s still very clearly an elite player and could overpower Badosa here.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
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Peyton Stearns vs Mirra Andreeva
Head-to-head: 1-1
Peyton Stearns defeated Mirra Andreeva at this venue last year, before the Russian exacted revenge on the more suitable clay court at Roland Garros. But it’s not like Andreeva can’t perform in conditions like this and she will require Stearns to play some efficient offense to take the win. Getting her match against Marketa Vondrousova done in straight sets might be key for the youngster as both players need to take the court again on Wednesday and Stearns had the more challenging victory against Qinwen Zheng.
Prediction: Andreeva in 3
Aryna Sabalenka vs Clara Tauson
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 1-0 Tauson
It’s arguably been overlooked that Clara Tauson really pushed Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open. If the Dane had been more clinical in the first set tiebreak, that match probably could have gone either way rather than ending in a straight-sets win for Sabalenka. That said, the world #1 is a better mover and has a better game in the forecourt than Tauson. Perhaps this will be another close contest, but Tauson probably didn’t help her chances with that unnecessary third set against Elina Svitolina on Tuesday – she led 7-6 3-0 before eventually winning 7-6 3-6 7-6. Sabalenka should have the edge here.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
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