WTA Hobart Day 3 Predictions Including Elise Mertens vs Renata Zarazua

We are up to the second round on Day 3 of the WTA Hobart International. No. 1 seed Dayana Yastremska survived Katie Volynets despite dropping the opening set 2-6, while 2017-18 champion and No. 2 seed Elise Mertens delivered a much cleaner display against Nuria Parrizas-Diaz. Will the top seeds keep progressing further into the event? Can newcomers like McCartney Kessler and especially Maya Joint impress again on Wednesday? We also predict the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article–featuring Amanda Anisimova vs Anna Bondar. Who do you think will advance?

WTA Hobart Day 3 Predictions

Maria Carle vs McCartney Kessler

Head-to-head: First meeting

McCartney Kessler had a big rise right after finishing her college career and it looks like she will be keeping it up. In just three matches in 2025, she’s already earned wins over Rebecca Sramkova and Magda Linette. This momentum should allow her to get on top of Maria Carle as well. The Argentinian pulled off a massive upset in mixed doubles at the United Cup and is very solid, but in terms of sheer ball-striking quality this isn’t all that close.
Prediction: Kessler in 2

Maya Joint vs Magda Linette

Head-to-head: First meeting

Maya Joint recently decided to turn pro instead of going the college route and is proving that she’s the most exciting Australian prospect. She took a set off Victoria Azarenka in Brisbane and has already snapped Olga Danilovic’s 10-match win streak this week. Here she’s facing another seasoned pro in Magda Linette and while the Pole has a lot of experience, it seems like these dangerous youngsters tend to overwhelm her game a little bit (see Iva Jovic at the US Open).
Prediction: Joint in 3

Dayana Yastremska vs Ann Li

Head-to-head: First meeting

Dayana Yastremska wasn’t convincing in her performance against Katie Volynets, but a win is a win and the Ukrainian must supply plenty of them at the moment. That’s because she’s going to be defending more or less half her ranking points at the Australian Open. Almost any Yastremska matchup comes down to her trying to blow the opponent off the court and Ann Li will have to prove her survival skills here. With three wins under her belt in Hobart already, she’ll make the top seed work for it.
Prediction: Li in 3

Elise Mertens vs Renata Zarazua

Head-to-head: First meeting

The record of Elise Mertens at this venue speaks for itself–two titles (2017, 2018) and one more final last year. The Belgian isn’t at the peak of her powers right now, but she easily had enough to defeat Nuria Parrizas-Diaz yesterday. Renata Zarazua plays a completely different game and will force Mertens into more of a grinding battle. But the second seed isn’t all that vulnerable to tactics like this, owing to her excellent consistency and resilience.
Prediction: Mertens in 2