The second round concludes on Day 4 of the WTA Abu Dhabi Open. Four more women will book their spots in the quarterfinals. As always, we here at LWOT share our thoughts on who they will be. Who do you think will advance?
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Alexandra Eala’s bid to crack the Top 40 could manifest in Abu Dhabi after the World No. 45 scored a commanding 6-3 6-4 victory over the talented Zeynep Sonmez to set up a clash with lucky loser Aliaksandra Sasnovich, who upset Paula Badosa.
The Russian will be eyeing a return to the Top 100 herself so she cannot be underestimated. Eala is a rising star, and Sasnovich will relish the challenge, making this a potential momentum swing battle. I’ll take a stab on the more experienced player.Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Jelena Ostapenko is chasing back-to-back wins for the first time since the 2025 French Open. The Latvian recovered from a 5-7 deficit to defeat qualifier Oksana Selekhmeteva, advancing to a Round of 16 clash with Czech teenager Sara Bejlek.
This will be their first meeting, and Ostapenko will be cautious of a 20-year-old local hopeful who stunned last year’s runner-up, Ashlyn Krueger, in straight sets in the opening round.
Ostapenko’s opener showed fluctuations, but she surged in the third set and now faces Bejlek, whose steady play could test Ostapenko’s defences and potentially push another three-setter. There’s a reasonable case for an upset here, and I believe it will happen.Prediction: Bejlek in 3
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Head–to–Head: Alexandrova 2 – 1 Yastremska
Ekaterina Alexandrova and Dayana Yastremska meet for the fourth time on the main tour as they look to halt a mini slump. Alexandrova, the second seed, has endured early exits in Adelaide and the Australian Open and is riding a three-match losing streak. Their head-to-head stands at 2-1, with both trading wins on hardcourts.
Yastremska arrives off a strong straight-set victory over Beatriz Haddad Maia in the opening round and will be aiming to regain ranking points after dropping out of the top 30 following a Melbourne ouster.
The matchup is expected to be hard-fought, with national pride adding an extra edge, but the Ukrainian who has shown more steel in the early season should win this.Prediction: Yastremska in 3
Head–to–Head: Alexandrova 2 – 1 Yastremska
Belinda Bencic will look to rebound from her Australian Open upset in Abu Dhabi. The World No. 9 and defending champion was tipped for a deep Melbourne run but fell early to qualifier Nikola Bartunkova. She now faces British No. 2 Sonay Kartal, who edged Cristina Bucsa in straight-sets in the first round.
Both players want to banish Down Under disappointments, but Bencic’s motivation is clear given her defending champion status. With a 14-match stretch with just two losses, she’s backed to rebound again.
Kartal will try to disrupt her rhythm, yet matching Bencic’s high-level form, already restored as she climbed back into the top ten, will be a tall order. It will be entertainment for the fans still.Prediction: Bencic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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