The WTA Dubai Tennis Championships kicks off on Sunday with 12 matches. Four of those are predicted in this article. The remaining matches are predicted in two separate articles, including Sloane Stephens vs Clara Burel and Caroline Garcia vs Ashlyn Krueger.
WTA Dubai Day 1 Predictions
Mirra Andreeva vs Peyton Stearns
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is Andreeva’s first match since the Australian Open, where she reached the fourth-round. Her playing style should adjust pretty well to the conditions in the Middle East. The 16-year-old will need to soak up some power against the big-hitting Stearns, but she is usually more comfortable doing that than creating her own pace. Andreeva tow in this one in two sets.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Wang Xinyu vs Donna Vekic
Head-to-head: Vekic 1-0 Wang
Vekic was in great form in Linz a few weeks ago but she had a setback against Katerina Siniakova in the opening round in Doha. Wang got a very impressive and comprehensive win against Beatriz Haddad Maia in Doha, before falling to Victoria Azarenka. Both players hit big from the baseline and this is about who can execute that style better. In the Dubai conditions, the edge just about goes to Wang.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Anna Kalinskaya vs Storm Hunter
Head-to-head: First meeting
Both players came through qualifying to reach the main draw. Kalinskaya was the top seed in qualifying and she showed her class with two easy wins. Hunter’s qualification was more of a surprise but she played very well to reach this stage. Yet, it is difficult to see her beating Kalinskaya. She had a real breakthrough at the Australian Open and is likely to have too much firepower for Hunter.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
Sofia Kenin vs Sorana Cirstea
Head-to-head: First meeting
Kenin lost a very close match to Marie Bouzkova in the first-round in Doha, while Cirstea beat Sloane Stephens, before being demolished by Iga Swiatek. 2020 Australian Open champion Kenin struggled against the gritty style of Bouzkova. However, Cirstea plays a much more attacking style of tennis. This is likely to suit her more and I think she has a very slight edge in this clash.
Prediction: Kenin in 3
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