Four second-round matches are scheduled on Day 3 of the WTA HSBC Championships in London, and some of the biggest names are in action. Two of the top three seeds, Madison Keys and Emma Navarro, are featured. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate. But which players will advance?
WTA London Day 3 Predictions
Amanda Anisimova vs Sonay Kartal
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Local player Sonay Kartal achieved the biggest win of her career, rankings-wise, as she defeated Daria Kasatkina in three sets in the first round. Kartal showed great defense and movement and outfoxed Kasatkina several times in the match. This win proves that she belongs in the top 50. Amanda Anisimova will be a tougher challenge due to her firepower and ability to end the points quickly. However, Kartal has the advantage of playing a match and getting used to the conditions. This might be a closer match than it looks on paper.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Karolina Muchova vs Tatjana Maria
Head-to-Head: first meeting
It was a tough first-round match for Karolina Muchova as the match lasted two days due to getting suspended on Day 1, and she also found it hard to hit through Maddison Inglis. But she will take the win and hope to improve on her performance. Tatjana Maria slices a lot, so this should be an intriguing match. Muchova is the favourite and should get this done.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Emma Navarro vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Head-to-Head: Navarro 2-3 Haddad Maia
#3 seed Emma Navarro, will be looking to make a deep run here and get some confidence back in her game after a disappointing clay season. Navarro has a good record on grass, but she is still new to this surface and will need some time to settle on it. Beatriz Haddad Maia has troubled the American player many times in the past, but this is their first meeting outside of clay, and Navarro will look to even the head-to-head. Haddad Maia is an experienced player on this surface, but she has been out of form all season, and I don’t trust her enough to win this.
Prediction: Navarro in 3
Madison Keys vs Anastasia Zakharova
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Making the main draw from qualifying was already a big win for Anastasia Zakharova, but upsetting Donna Vekic in straight sets must have felt unreal for the Russian player. It was the biggest win of her career, and she will finally make her top 100 debut next week. #2 seed, Madison Keys, is probably the favourite to win the HSBC Championships this week and will look to get off to a good start. Keys’ big serve and powerful groundstrokes would be too hot to handle for Zakharova.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images