16 second-round matches are scheduled on day three of the WTA Madrid Open, featuring some of the biggest names in the sport as the seeded players enter the fray at La Caja Magica. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Anna Bondar vs Elina Svitolina and Naomi Osaka vs Camila Osorio. But who will advance?

WTA Madrid Day 3 Predictions
Leylah Fernandez vs Julia Grabher

Head-to-head: Fernandez 2-0 Grabher

Leylah Fernandez had an eventful week in Stuttgart last time out, winning a close match against Zeynep Sonmez and then losing to eventual champion Elena Rybakina despite having match points. Fernandez does not have a good record here in Madrid, but she is in good enough form to at least make the third round as these conditions (at least in theory) suit her game. Julia Grabher upset home hope Paula Badosa in the first round to get her second tour-level win of the season, but she have a hard time repeating the trick against the Canadian.

Prediction: Fernandez in 2

Wang Xinyu vs Laura Samson

Head-to-head: first meeting

18-year-old wild card Laura Samson played a great match to beat Tatjana Maria in straight sets to reach the second round at the WTA Madrid Open. It was her first tour-level win since 2024 but you wouldn’t have guessed that. She hit 34 winners in the match and just 20 unforced errors, which shows how aggressive she is and how dangerous she is on when she is on song. If she can display this level again, she will cause some problems for Wang XInyu, who has been in awful form recently, and clay is her weakest surface. The teenager might just claim another big win.

Prediction: Samson in 3

Anna Kalinskaya vs Dalma Galfi

Head-to-head: Kalinskaya 2-0 Galfi

Anna Kalinskaya had a good start to her clay court season, reaching the quarterfinals in Charleston, and will seek to make an impression this week. She defeated Elena Rybakina here in 2023, and her playing style has the potential to trouble players this week. Dalma Galfi backed up her dominant qualifying run with a straight-sets win over Ajla Tomljanovic in the first round. However, Galfi hasn’t won back-to-back main draw matches this season, and it is hard to see that happening in this match.

Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3

Aryna Sabalenka vs Peyton Stearns

Head-to-head: Sabalenka 2-0 Stearns

Three-time WTA Madrid Open champion Aryna Sabalenka will play her first match on clay this season after a well-deserved rest since winning the Sunshine Double. She will be fresh and ready to defend her title. Peyton Stearns is a tough opponent to face in the early rounds, but Sabalenka is in incredible form and plays her best tennis in this tournament. The world #1 should have enough to extend her 12-match winning streak without encountering too many difficulties.

Prediction: Sabalenka in 2

Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports