Three third-round picks from the WTA Madrid Open today, and there's at least one match here that could turn a few heads. Let's get into it.
WTA Madrid Open Predictions
Sorana Cirstea vs Cori Gauff
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is the one to watch. Gauff is the big name here and the heavy favorite on paper, but Cirstea on clay is a different animal, and she's been absolutely dialed in this week. The Romanian's flat, aggressive ball-striking can cut through rallies before they really get started, and on a surface that tends to play a bit slower in Madrid, she has enough game to genuinely trouble Gauff's groundstroke patterns.
Gauff has had a slightly inconsistent 2025 so far and this is a tricky draw in the third round. Cirstea takes this one.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2
Jessica Pegula vs Marta Kostyuk
Head-to-head: Pegula 4-2 Kostyuk
Pegula leads this series convincingly and has won their most recent meetings, so the head-to-head doesn't give Kostyuk much to lean on. Kostyuk is a fighter and always makes you earn it, but Pegula's consistency from the baseline and her ability to stay calm in longer rallies has been the difference every time they've played. I think this goes Pegula's way without too much drama, all things considered.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Aryna Sabalenka vs Jaqueline Cristian
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 1-0 Cristian
Cristian has had a solid season and her ranking reflects genuine progress, but Sabalenka at a Masters on clay is about as tough a draw as you can get. The world number one has been in devastating form and there's no real weakness to target here. That said, Cristian will run hard and compete, but hard to see this being competitive at all beyond a set or two.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Oscar J. Barroso/AFP7 via ZUMA Wire