Day 3 of the WTA 1000 tournament in Doha will see more elite players join the fray, with Coco Gauff in action against Elisabetta Cocciaretto. There will also be an all-Czech showdown as Karolina Muchova faces teenage sensation Tereza Valentova. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate, but who will advance?

WTA Doha Day 3 Predictions
Linda Noskova vs Varvara Gracheva

Head–to–Head: First Meeting

Linda Noskova’s push toward the top 10 has gathered early momentum in Doha. The ninth seed was in command from the outset, brushing aside Maya Joint in two quick sets with the kind of authority that underlines her growing belief and firepower.

Next up is a first-ever meeting with Varvara Gracheva, who squeezed past Laura Siegemund 7–6, 6–4 and has yet to drop a set this week, including qualifying. That clean run looks vulnerable here. Noskova owns the heavier weapons and, crucially, the hunger of a player ready to force her way into the next round. It won’t be easy, though.

Prediction: Noskova in 3

Karolina Muchová vs Tereza Valentová

Head–to–Head:  First Meeting

Karolina Muchova cruised past Jaqueline Cristian 6–2, 6–3 to book an all-Czech showdown with the teenage sensation Tereza Valentova. The 14th seed was in control throughout against the Romanian and now faces her compatriot for the first time, with more than just a place in the next round on the line.

Valentova, 18, continued her rapid rise by beating Alexandra Eala in straight sets. The fearless youngster will look to hit through Muchova, while the experienced campaigner brings her trademark blend of variety, touch, and explosive baseline play. National bragging rights are at stake, and you sense Muchova will be keen to remind her rising rival who is the superior player.

Prediction: Muchova in 2

Coco Gauff vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto

Head–to–Head: Gauff 3 – 0

Coco Gauff is back on court to consign her Australian Open disappointment to history. The world No. 5 cut a visibly frustrated figure in Melbourne, and she typically will be determined to reset and impose herself early.

Standing in her way is Elisabetta Cocciaretto, a fearless opponent with nothing to lose. The Italian lucky loser cruised past Elsa Jacquemot in round one and brings confidence from her Hobart title run. Gauff dominates their head-to-head, and with her backhand firing, she will be eyeing a statement win and a morale-boosting start to the next chapter of her season.

Prediction: Gauff in 2

Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – Imagn Images