The second round at the WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships continues on Day 3, with plenty of exciting matchups lined up on the outdoor hard courts. Defending champion Mirra Andreeva kicks off her title defense, joined by other top players in key clashes as the field narrows in this WTA 1000 event. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule. But who will advance?

WTA Dubai Day 3 Predictions 
Peyton Stearns vs Clara Tauson

Head-to-Head: Stearns 1–0 Tauson 

Stearns has shown good touch on hard courts lately, using her heavy topspin forehand to dictate points and keep opponents deep. She picked up a straight-sets win in the first round here, building confidence early in the tournament. Tauson brings power from the baseline and has a solid record on this surface, but she needs to stay consistent against Stearns’ aggressive style. Stearns’ ability to control rallies gives her the edge in what should be a competitive battle.
Prediction: Stearns in 3

Ella Seidel vs Jaqueline Cristian

Head-to-Head: Seidel 1–1 Cristian 

Seidel has been pushing her way up the rankings with gritty performances, showing improvement in her movement and baseline consistency on hard courts. She qualified and won her opener convincingly, carrying positive momentum. Cristian has more experience at this level and can mix up pace and spin effectively, but her recent form has been up and down. Seidel’s current confidence and ability to stay steady in longer points should help her come through.
Prediction: Seidel in 3

Jasmine Paolini vs Alexandra Eala

Head-to-Head: First meeting

Paolini’s quick footwork and counterpunching make her tough to break down on hard courts, where she has posted strong results in recent seasons. She thrives when extending rallies and forcing errors. Eala has impressed with her clean ball-striking and composure under pressure, showing real potential on faster surfaces. This is a fresh matchup, but Paolini’s experience in big events and ability to handle variety should see her through.
Prediction: Paolini in 2

Mirra Andreeva vs Daria Kasatkina

Head-to-Head: Andreeva 1–1 Kasatkina 

Andreeva, the defending champion here, moves exceptionally well and hits with depth and variety, suiting the Dubai conditions perfectly. Her recent hard-court play has been sharp, and she enters as a strong contender to go deep again. Kasatkina is crafty with her slices, dropshots, and angles, and she knows how to disrupt rhythm effectively. Their previous encounters have been close, but Andreeva’s current form and comfort on these courts tip the balance.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2

Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images