Belinda Bencic vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Bencic to ease into Dubai second round

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Sun 15 Feb 2026 22:41

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Andrew Hendrie 15 Feb 2026

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Belinda Bencic vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro predictions for Monday's WTA Dubai Round 1
Bencic a former Dubai champion with strong record vs players outside top 40
Bouzas Maneiro on a three-match losing streak without winning a single set
The match is scheduled to start around 9.30pm AEDT on Monday February 16

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Belinda Bencic (Photo by Getty Images)

Belinda Bencic vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Ninth seed Belinda Bencic gets her Dubai Tennis Championships campaign up and running when she comes up against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the opening round on Monday.

Belinda Bencic vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Bencic vs Bouzas Maneiro Stats & Trends
Bencic vs Bouzas Maneiro Head To Head
Belinda Bencic Form Analysis
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
Bencic vs Bouzaz Maneiro Live Stream

Bencic will be aiming for her second title in Dubai after collecting the silverware all the way back in 2019, taking four top 10 scalps along the way. A lot has changed since then, but Bencic returns to Dubai seven years later on the cusp of the top 10 at No. 11 in the world after an impressive start to the season. Meanwhile, Bouzas Maneiro has struggled to open the year, registering a 1-4 record - although that one victory did come over No. 3 Coco Gauff in the United Cup in the very first tournament of 2026.

Bencic is playing her first match since the Australian Open and I think she should cruise here. The Swiss has a tremendous record against players outside the top 40, while Bouzas Maneiro doesn't appear to be in any shape to trouble an elite player going on her form for the most part this season. Backing Bencic in straights, with a smaller stake on covering a -5.5 games line.

Bencic vs Bouzas Maneiro Stats & Trends

Bencic has won six of her seven matches in 2026
Bencic has won nine of her last 12 matches in Dubai
Bencic has won 27 of her last 32 matches vs players outside the top 40 since the start of 2024
Out of those 27 wins, 21 were in straight sets and 21 also covered a -5.5 games line
Bouzaz Maneiro has gone 3-7 vs top 15 players in her career
All seven defeats for Bouzaz Maneiro were in straight sets, while she failed to cover a +5.5 line in five
Bouzaz Maneiro's last three defeats were in straight sets

Bencic vs Bouzas Maneiro Head To Head

This will be the first career meeting between the pair.

Belinda Bencic Form Analysis

2026 Record: 6-1
WTA Dubai Record: 10-6
Current Ranking: No. 11
Career-High Ranking: No. 4 (2020)

Bencic was one of the best players on tour in January, but she would have been disappointed with her early elimination at the Australian Open.

The Swiss carried her nation through to the United Cup final, winning all of her singles and mixed doubles matches. Among her singles scalps were Iga Swiatek, Jasmine Paolini and Elise Mertens.

However, after another crushing first round victory at the Australian Open over Katie Boulter, Bencic suffered one of the biggest shock defeats of the tournament, going down to qualifier and World No. 126 Nikola Bartunkova in three sets. To be fair to Bencic, Bartunkova was playing absolutely lights out tennis and looks a player to watch this season.

Bencic withdrew from her Abu Dhabi title defence two weeks ago due to illness, but seems fully recovered now and ready for a tilt at a second Dubai title after securing the silverware in 2019.

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro

2026 Record: 1-4
WTA Dubai Record: 0-0
Current Ranking: No. 45
Career-High Ranking: No. 40 (August 2025)

Bouzaz Maneiro comes into this tournament ranked No. 45 in the world and will be hoping to challenge for a top 30 spot throughout 2026.

However, it hasn't been the brightest start to the season for the Spaniard.

Indeed, Bouzaz Maneiro only has one win from five matches so far in 2026 - and that was a brilliant performance to beat Coco Gauff in the United Cup.

But the 23-year-old wasn't able to build on that victory, failing to win a single set in her last three matches, suffering first round exits to Taylah Preston in Hobart, Storm Hunter at the Australian Open and Anna Kalinskaya in Doha last week.

Bencic vs Bouzaz Maneiro Live Stream

Watch and bet on Belinda Bencic vs Jessica Bouzaz Maneiro live tennis from Dubai.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > WTA Dubai with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.

Verdict

Belinda Bencic v Jessica Bouzas Maneiro

Bencic has played great to start the year, while Bouzas Maneiro has struggled with three straight sets defeats in a row. Backing the Swiss for a routine opening round win.