The second round of the women’s singles event at the 2025 WTA Mubadala Citi Open begins on Wednesday. Players like No. 2 seed Emma Navarro and No. 3 seed Elena Rybakina received byes in the opening phase of the event, but that might not even be an advantage now that they’ll be facing dangerous, warmed-up opposition. Who do you think will reach the quarterfinals?
WTA Washington Day 3 Predictions
Caroline Dolehide vs Clara Tauson
Head-to-head: Tauson 1-0
Clara Tauson’s talent is finally exploding this year, and all it took was for the Dane to stay in relatively good physical shape for an extended patch. The talent had always been there and she truly deserves that Top 20 spot that she recently got. First match on hard courts against an opponent who’s coming from qualifying and has already played three times in Washington this week? That could be trouble, but match rhythm is basically the only advantage Dolehide has here.
Prediction: Tauson in 2
Magda Linette vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-head: Linette 1-0
Anna Kalinskaya at the peak of her powers last year was a scary proposition, but nowadays the Russian doesn’t bring her best level as consistently. While some of that is just injuries, the 11-13 record this year sounds exactly as average as it is. This looks pretty close as Magda Linette posted a quality win over Danielle Collins in the opening round. Typically, the Pole isn’t scared of flatter hitters like Kalinskaya and can redirect their ball with good control. Let’s say that makes the coin flip swing in her favor.
Prediction: Linette in 3
Maria Sakkari vs Emma Navarro
Head-to-head: Sakkari 2-1
If Maria Sakkari’s career is going to start trending upwards again, this North American hard court season has to be pretty good for her. It hasn’t been an easy comeback from injury, but she survived the readjustment period and might be ready for more now. This is a decent spot for her to trouble one of the top seeds. She already defeated Katie Boulter in straight sets and Emma Navarro might be a little undercooked getting back onto hard courts after a long while.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Elena Rybakina vs Victoria Mboko
Head-to-head: First meeting
Victoria Mboko has been a menace this year and while her win/loss record got a bit worse on clay and grass (especially as she began facing top-quality opposition), the 18-year-old is one of the hottest prospects in the sport right now. Combined with Elena Rybakina still throwing in so many subpar performances (next to these that are absolutely clinical) and this being the first match of the hard court swing for the No. 3 seed, maybe this is where Mboko finds the big win she’s been longing for.
Prediction: Mboko in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
