Day three of the WTA 1000 tournament in Doha will see more elite athletes join the fray, with Coco Gauff taking on Elisabetta Cocharetto. An all-Czech showdown between Karolina Muchova and teenage sensation Tereza Valentova is also scheduled. As always, LWOT provides predictions for every match, but who will emerge victorious?

WTA Doha Day 3 predictions

Linda Noskova vs Varvara Gracheva

Head-to-head: First meeting

Linda Noskova’s push for the top 10 has gained momentum from the start in Doha. The No. 9 seed took control from the start, pushing Maya Joynt away in two quick sets with an authority that underlined Maya Joynt’s growing belief and firepower.

Next up is her first match against Varvara Gracheva. He defeated Laura Siegemund 7-6, 6-4 and has yet to drop a set this week, including in qualifying. That clean run looks vulnerable here. Noskova owns heavier weapons and, importantly, the hunger of players ready to force their way to the next round. However, it’s not easy.

Prediction: Noskova 3

Karolina Muchova vs Tereza Valentova

Head-to-head: First meeting

Karolina Muchova defeated Jacqueline Christian 6-2, 6-3 to book an all-Czech showdown with teenage sensation Tereza Valentova. The 14th seed, who dominated the Romanian throughout, will face her compatriot for the first time with just a place at stake to advance to the next round.

Valentova, 18, continued her rapid rise by defeating Alexandra Ila in straight sets. The fearless youngster will look to take on Muchova, while the experienced athlete will bring her trademark blend of versatility, touch and explosive baseline play. With national bragging rights at stake, Muchova is thought to be desperate to remind her rising rivals who is the better player.

Prediction: Muchova at 2

Coco Gauff vs Elisabetta Cocharetto

Matchup: Gauff 3 – 0

Coco Gauff returned to the court to put her Australian Open disappointment behind her. The world No. 5 looked visibly frustrated in Melbourne, but would normally reset early and steel her self-imposed resolve.

Standing in her way is Elisabetta Cocharetto, a fearless enemy with nothing to lose. The lucky loser from Italy rallied past Elsa Jacquemo in the first round and brought confidence with her title win in Hobart. Gauff has dominated both matches and will look to use her backhand power to win and get a morale-boosting start to the next chapter of the season.

Prediction: Gauff second.

Main photo credit: Geoff Burke – Imagn Images