WTA Dubai Day 2 Predictions Including Elina Svitolina vs Anhelina Kalinina

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Marie Bouzkova

Head-to-head: first meeting

It was a terrific week in Doha for Pavlyuchenkova. She reached her first WTA 1000 hard court semifinal since 2010, before falling to Elena Rybakina. However, backing it up immediately could be tough. Pavlyuchenkova did seem to be battling through tiredness and some soreness during her run in Doha. Playing against someone as gritty and consistent as Bouzkova may not be the ideal first-round match. Bouzkova to prevail in three sets at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships.

Prediction: Bouzkova in 3

Veronika Kudermetova vs Dayana Yastremska

Head-to-head: Kudermetova 3-0 Yastremska

This is Yastremska’s second tournament back since her stunning run to the semifinal of the Australian Open. Her last match was a 1-6 1-6 hammering in Linz against Donna Vekic. Kudermetova is seeking to respond to a first-round loss in Doha last week to Danielle Collins. The previous three meetings have all been won by Kudermetova. Yastremska’s return is not the strongest part of her game and her opponent’s strong serve has exploited that weakness. Kudermetova is a slight favourite to beat the Australian Open semifinalist again at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships.

Prediction: Kudermetova in 3

Elina Svitolina vs Anhelina Kalinina

Head-to-head: Svitolina 1-0 Kalinina

Hopefully, Svitolina is 100% fit for this contest. She has not played since having to retire after three games of her Australian Open fourth round match with Linda Noskova. Her compatriot Kalinina defeated Emma Raducanu in Doha last week, before falling to Jelena Ostapenko. It is a tough one to predict due to the uncertainty surrounding Svitolina in her first match back. She had been playing superb tennis before her injury, and that gives her a very small edge at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships.

Prediction: Svitolina in 3