WTA Qatar Open 2023 Day 2: Women's singles predictions ft. Petra Kvitova vs Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek vs Danielle Collins, and more
The duo of Coco Gauff and Danielle Collins will take on two former Qatar Open winners — Petra Kvitova and Iga Swiatek, respectively, in second-round encounters on Day 3 of the WTA 500 event.
Wednesday will also have the likes of Jessica Pegula and Caroline Garcia open their campaigns against big names. Rest assured, tennis fans will have plenty of top-drawer tennis lined up for them. On that note, let's take a look at some of the upcoming enticing encounters from the Qatari capital of Doha:
Qatar Open: Iga Swiatek vs Danielle Collins
Danielle Collins opened her Qatar Open campaign with a gritty win over Elise Mertens, edging the Belgian in two keenly-contested sets. The American's flat-hitting is tailor-made for the quick courts in Qatar and she could well trouble top seed and World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in their next match.
The last time that these two played a big match — the 2022 Australian Open semifinal, it was the American who came out on top. While Iga Swiatek has since gone on a whole different trajectory, she could find herself on the backfoot against Danielle Collins' power in these conditions.
Prediction: Collins to win in three sets
Qatar Open: Petra Kvitova vs Coco Gauff
With 22 match wins under her belt in Doha, two-time former winner Petra Kvitova has had more success at the Qatar Open than anyone else. She made yet another strong start to her campaign with a 7-5, 6-2 dismissal of Zhang Shuai.
Up against a top-10 opponent in the form of Coco Gauff, the Czech will need to rely on her big weapons — serve and lethal forehand — to keep her momentum going. Gauff can put up a wall against most opponents with her all-court skills, but Kvitova's firepower may prove too much for her in the end.
Prediction: Kvitova to win in three sets
Qatar Open: Jessica Pegula vs Jelena Ostapenko
In yet another contest of power versus consistency, Jelena Ostapenko will square off against second seed Jessica Pegula for a spot in the Qatar Open quarterfinals.
Pegula's season has gotten off to a flying start and the only players to have beaten her so far are Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka. Playing against a risk-taker in the form of Jelena Ostapenko, however, the American will take on a more proactive approach in the contest. Unless she can do that, Pegula risks being blown off the court.
Prediction: Ostapenko to win in three sets
Qatar Open: Belinda Bencic vs Vitoria Azarenka
Fresh off a title in Abu Dhabi, Belinda Bencic is showing no signs of slowing. She soared past Viktoriya Tomova in her opener here in Qatar, dropping just one game enroute a 6-0, 6-1 contest.
Up next for the player with the most number of wins on the Tour this year is Victoria Azarenka, who turned back the clock at the Australian Open by reaching the semifinals. Fans can expect some fireworks in this one from both ends, while betting on a Bencic win.
Prediction: Bencic to win in three sets