The first day of the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships contains a very busy schedule. There are 12 matches in total, with four of them predicted in this article. We at LWOT have predictions for the rest of the day’s contests in separate articles, including Caroline Garcia vs Ashlyn Krueger and Sofia Kenin vs Sorana Cirstea. Which players do you expect to triumph on the first day?
WTA Dubai Day 1 Predictions
Tatjana Maria vs Varvara Gracheva
Head-to-head: Gracheva 2-1 Maria
Both players got thrashed last week in the opening round in Doha. Maria lost 1-6 1-6 to Greet Minnen, while Gracheva fell by the same score to Zhu Lin. In truth, the conditions in the Middle Eastern swing do not suit the playing styles of either woman very well. This is particularly the case for Maria, whose crafty style of play does not translate well to the courts. It is a good draw on paper for both, but Gracheva will probably have the edge at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships.
Prediction: Gracheva in 2
Magda Linette vs Nao Hibino
Head-to-head: Linette 5-4 Hibino
These two met less than a week ago in Doha, where last year’s Australian Open semifinalist Linette prevailed comfortably in straight sets. The Pole’s game looks in good shape right now. Her last two defeats were in three sets against WTA Elite Trophy champion Beatriz Haddad Maia and last year’s WTA most improved player Qinwen Zheng, but she played well in both losses. The overall head-to-head between these two is quite close. However, Linette has won their last two meetings, and is playing better tennis right now. She should win again at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships.
Prediction: Linette in 2
Jasmine Paolini vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Head-to-head: Paolini 1-0 Haddad Maia
This is a fascinating battle between two players who have played very well in the last 12 months, but who both suffered setbacks last week in Doha. Paolini lost in straight sets to Emma Navarro, while Haddad Maia only won four games in her loss to Wang Xinyu. The Brazilian’s defeat may have been a hangover from her very tight Abu Dhabi semifinal loss to Daria Kasatkina. This is likely to be a very tight match, with many long rallies. Paolini has slightly more firepower with her forehand, but Haddad Maia gets a narrow edge. She usually responds well to setbacks, and I think the conditions will slightly favor her at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 3
Sloane Stephens vs Clara Burel
Head-to-head: First meeting
Stephens never got going last week in her first-round loss in Doha to Sorana Cirstea. She will need to be much better against Burel, who has made impressive progress in the last year. The Frenchwoman comfortably came through qualifying and is clearly enjoying the conditions. Stephens did play some good tennis at the Australian Open, and that level would likely get her over the line in this matchup. It is a contest that will also have long rallies, but Stephens gets a small advantage at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
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