Day 3 Predictions for WTA Cincinnati: Featuring Leylah Fernandez vs. Elena Rybakina
On the third day of main draw play at the WTA Cincinnati Open, seeded players Elena Rybakina and Liudmila Samsonova will take to the courts. Here are our predictions for all the Thursday matches:
Leylah Fernandez vs Elena Rybakina
When Rybakina and Fernandez last faced off in Doha earlier this year, Rybakina emerged as the confident winner. After a well-deserved break following Wimbledon, Rybakina has been in exceptional form with a 40-9 record this season and remains one of the toughest competitors on the WTA Tour. Although Fernandez has over 20 WTA main draw victories this season, she may struggle against a fit and sharp Rybakina. If Rybakina is on top of her game, she should prevail.Rybakina in 3
Liudmila Samsonova vs Magda LinetteSamsonova has dominated their previous encounters, including a win at Roland Garros this year. While Linette made a strong comeback to defeat Boulter in her first round, Samsonova secured a straight-sets win against Wang. Both players have more than 20 WTA main draw wins this season, but Samsonova, with a top 20 ranking and a quarterfinal finish in Canada, is favored in what promises to be a high-quality match. Samsonova in 2
Mirra Andreeva vs Karolina Pliskova
Pliskova, with a 19-15 season record and a couple of finals, has had a solid year despite no longer being at the elite level. On the other hand, Andreeva, with a 23-11 record and her first WTA title, is quickly rising through the ranks and approaching the top 20. Despite Pliskova’s greater experience, Andreeva’s current form makes her the favorite. Andreeva in 3
