Damien Kayat previews the 2023 Women’s Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open – Selected Round of 32 and Round of 16 matches as Bianca Andreescu faces Yulia Putintseva and Veronika Kudermetova takes on Elise Mertens.
2023 WTA Tour
WTA 500
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE (Outdoor Hardcourt)
Selected Round of 32 and Round of 16 Matches
7-8 February
Round of 32 – 7 February
Bianca Andreescu (8/15) | Yulia Putintseva (13/10)
The trials and tribulations of former US Open champ Bianca Andreescu have become the stuff of legend. She has suffered a litany of injury issues over the past three years.
In fact, she contemplated retiring from the game due to the mental exhaustion of it all. The 2019 US Open champion has slowly started to emerge from the wreckage of her injuries. She was 20-13 in 2022 (reaching her maiden grass-court final at the Bad Homburg Open).
She never dropped a set en route to the semi-finals of last week’s Thailand Open, convincing with victories over Harriet Dart, Anastasia Zakharova and Martha Kostyuk. But her semi-final against Lesia Tsurenko was disturbingly in keeping with her recent history.
She was forced to retire while trailing in the match, losing her last eight consecutive games before succumbing to a shoulder injury. That concerns me. Will a week be enough time for the Canadian to properly recuperate?
This was be the 5th tournament of Yulia Putintseva’s year. The dogged 28-year-old Kazakh lost both her singles matches at the United Cup. She did reach the quarterfinals in Hobart before a 2nd round exit at the Aussie Open.
But she is fresh off a fairly humdrum first-round exit in Hua Hin. The World No.45 made it through to the main draw courtesy of a straight-sets demolition of Nigina Abduraimova.
Putintseva is a consummate professional. A two-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist, the Kazakh is a two-time tour champion who has finished runner-up on three occasions.
But she hasn’t reached a final since the 2021 Astana Open. She will look to harness her grit and determination to take down what could be a wounded buck in Bianca Andreescu.
Verdict: Putintseva to win at 13/10
This will actually be the first career meeting between these two. Andreescu is obviously the superior player when you come right down to it. But I think the plucky Kazakh has a real shot this week.
Andreescu’s recent injury travails make her a prime candidate for a surprise defeat. I expect the canny Kazakh to target that forehand wing, testing Andreescu’s shoulder at every given opportunity.
Veronika Kudermetova (8/13) | Elise Mertens (23/20)
25-year-old Russian Veronika Kudermetova is coming off an exceptionally productive season that went completely under the radar. This is probably due to the fact she had split loyalties between singles and doubles action.
But she ended 2022 ranked 9th in singles and 2nd in doubles. She reached singles finals in Sydney and Dubai. She also enjoyed a nice late-season surge, reaching the semi-finals of the Silicon Valley Classic, Pan Pacific Open and Jasmin Open.
She loves hardcourts and we have already got a taste of her potential in 2023. She reached the quarterfinals of the Adelaide 1 event (beating Bianca Andreescu and Garbine Muguruza in the process).
She then went one better with a semi-final showing at the Adelaide 2 event. She disappointed in the Aussie Open and will be looking for a strong bounce-back here.
27-year-old Belgian Elsie Mertens has arguably not fulfilled her potential as a singles player. I suppose being one of the elite doubles players in world tennis has affected her to some extent.
But her victory at last year’s Jasmin Open- her 7th singles title- showcased her undoubted ability. A crafty baseliner, Mertens is an effective counterpuncher who uses her vast doubles experience to come into the net often.
There have been signs of life for the Belgian on the singles circuit this year. Sure, a first-round defeat to Maryna Zanevska in Hobart didn’t necessarily auger well for Mertens.
But her form picked up with a decent showing at the year’s first major. She beat former World No.1 Garbine Muguruza in the opening round of the Aussie Open. She then beat Lauren Davies before losing to eventual champ Aryna Sabalenka in the 3rd round. She just thrashed Martina Trevisan and looks a real dark horse contender this week.
Verdict: Kudermetova to win in three at 5/2
This should be a fascinating clash between two players who know each other all too well (they won last year’s WTA Finals doubles title together). Mertens actually holds a commanding 4-1 head-to-head record against the Russian. However, it was Kudermetova who emerged victorious when they last met at the 2021 Italian Open.
This game should be an intriguing clash of styles. The big-serving Kudermetova loves to dominate on serve. But Mertens is one of the most underrated returners in women’s tennis. I just think Kudermetova’s increased power will help her edge this one (especially on these quick surfaces).
