Second-round matches will wrap up on Day 4 (Thursday, January 8) of the ASB Classic 2026 in Auckland. Third seed Iva Jovic booked her spot in the quarterfinals on Wednesday with a 7-6 (3), 6-4 win over Sara Bejlek.
Joining Jovic in the last eight were seventh seed Wang Xinyu, Sofia Costoulas, and Francesca Jones. The remaining players in the draw will aim to join them on Thursday. On that note, here are the predictions for all the singles matches set for Day 4 of the ASB Classic:
#1. Magda Linette vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Linette fought past Venus Williams in three sets to reach the second round in Auckland, while Cocciaretto beat Alycia Parks 7-5, 6-2 in her opener. Linette leads their rivalry 2-1, and won their most recent outing at the Merida Open 2025 in straight sets.
Linette also enjoyed comparatively more success than Cocciaretto in 2025. While the start of a new season offers a clean slate to everyone, looking at their recent results, the Pole is in a good position to win this encounter.
Pick: Magda Linette to win in straight sets.
#2. Sonay Kartal vs Ella Seidel
Kartal upset sixth seed Janice Tjen in the first round, beating her 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3. Seidel, on the other hand, had an easy day in the office, scoring a comfortable 6-2, 6-1 win over Monique Barry.
Both players had their breakout runs in 2025. Kartal made the fourth round of Wimbledon and the quarterfinals of the China Open, a WTA 1000 event. Seidel also reached the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open, another WTA 1000 tournament.
The two youngsters are now set to cross paths for the first time. Both will be keen to build upon their strong results from last year. However, Kartal seems a step ahead of Seidel in terms of career progression, which makes her the slight favorite to win this contest.
Pick: Sonay Kartal to win in three sets.
#3. Alexandra Eala vs Petra Marcinko
Eala and Marcino both needed three sets to win their respective first-round matches in Auckland. The former beat Donna Vekic, while the latter edged past Camila Osorio. Eala made waves last year with her stunning wins over Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek en route to the semifinals of the Miami Open.
Marcinko is another young player on the rise, though she’s yet to leave her mark on the WTA Tour. Eala seems to have her beat in that department, and could one-up her when they take to the court for their duel as well. For a detailed analysis, click here.
Pick: Alexandra Eala to win in straight sets.
#4. Elina Svitolina vs Katie Boulter
Svitolina defeated Varvara Gracheva 6-3, 6-1 in her opener here, while Boulter beat Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-3, 6-3. The Ukrainian was previously a finalist at the ASB Classic in 2024, going down to Coco Gauff in the final.
Svitolina won her previous and only encounter against Boulter at the Australian Open 2020 in straight sets. The Brit’s form took a hit last year, even dropping out of the top 100. While she has the game to trouble top players, her current form doesn’t do her any favors. Svitolina will be expected to make it through without a fuss. For more detailed analysis, click here.
Pick: Elina Svitolina to win in straight sets.
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