Top stars highlight all the action on Day 3 in Cincinnati, most notably featuring Iga Swiatek and Danielle Collins in a rematch from their Montreal quarterfinal. Additionally, Montreal champion Jessica Pegula looks to continue her solid form and solidify her spot as a US Open favorite. LWOT predicts all 14 matches on Wednesday, with other matches split between three articles. One features Venus Williams vs Qinwen Zheng, the second highlights Elena Rybakina vs Jelena Ostapenko, and the third features Coco Gauff vs Mayar Sherif. Who do you think will advance?
WTA Cincinnati Day 3 Predictions
Jessica Pegula vs Martina Trevisan
Head-to-head: Pegula 2-0
This is a great opening matchup for Pegula, especially with the risk of lingering fatigue from her Montreal title run. Trevisan hits loopy lefty groundstrokes, shots that allow Pegula to set up and create angles as she regularly does well. The Italian did get through qualifying well and followed up with a win over home favorite Bernarda Pera, but expect Pegula to win this easily. Pegula did struggle to a 6-3 2-6 6-3 win over Trevisan in Madrid, but that meeting came on Trevisan’s more desirable slow clay court.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Donna Vekic vs Victoria Azarenka
Head-to-head: Vekic 2-1
Somewhat surprising that Vekic leads the head-to-head, but Azarenka seems to struggle more against offensive players. Both stars got some confidence-boosting wins in round one, with Azarenka notably taking out Barbora Krejčíková 6-3 7-5. The Belarusian is a two-time champion here, and typically plays well in hot and humid environments. Look for Azarenka to flip the switch in this head-to-head; she’ll have to serve well.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Marketa Vondrousova vs Anastasia Potapova
Head-to-head: Vondrousova 2-1
Potapova won in this matchup 6-1 6-7 (4) 6-3 in Linz 2023, a match that highlighted Vondrousova’s struggles after an injury-riddled 2022. Her game has transformed lately, obviously culminating in her rise to stardom with her Wimbledon win. Compared to other first-time Grand Slam champions, she’s been solid backing up those results, and definitely looked close to her best with her win over Katerina Siniakova. Potapova didn’t look great in her win over Celine Naef, hitting too many errors and allowing for far too many opportunities in the first set. I predicted Vondrousova would lose in Round 1, but her game is definitely solid enough to reach the late stages of this tournament.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Iga Świątek vs Danielle Collins
Head-to-head: Swiatek 3-1
A rematch from only a couple of days ago in Montreal, Swiatek battled through Collins in a three-setter. The Pole was definitely not at her best, and her scratchy groundstrokes and subpar returns against Collins fueled her exit to Pegula in the semifinals. It’s always important to remember what a peaking Collins can do to Swiatek, as she won this matchup easily at the 2022 Australian Open. This tournament is also one of Swiatek’s worst as of late; she holds a dreadful 2-4 record at this event. That number will surely improve in the future, but it could be a sign that these courts don’t suit her game. Expect another tough three-setter, but Swiatek should have the slight edge.
Prediction: Świątek in 3
