The quarterfinal matches of WTA Brisbane International 2019 are all set, and there have been no shortage of upsets. The top seed, and defending Brisbane champion, Elina Svitolina was stunned at the first hurdle when she fell to Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus 6-4 0-6 6-3. Svitolina, on her first outing since winning the season-ending championship in Singapore last year, was bamboozled by a string of winners coming from the racket of Sasnovich. The first set from Sasnovich was some of the best hitting I’ve seen from her, and I hope she can back up that win and go the distance once more in Brisbane.
Anett Kontaveit also caused an upset when she beat the fourth seed Petra Kvitova in straight sets to progress to the last eight. The Estonian, who reached a career high ranking of No. 20, last year, produced a solid display of power tennis leaving Kvitova with serious question marks as she prepares for the Australian Open.
Donna Vekic saved two match points to see off No. 6 seed Kiki Bertens, while Anastasija Sevastova and Karolina Pliskova both progressed safely into the last eight. Ajla Tomljanovic remains as the sole Australian in the draw when she beat Johanna Konta in another big scalp.
With the lineup complete, here are the predictions of the QF matches scheduled for the next two days.
Anastasija Sevastova vs Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka is coming to terms with being the favorite in every match she plays in, following her success at the US Open. This is will a very challenging proposition against the flashy Latvian Anastasija Sevastova. Sevastova reached the semis last year in Brisbane, and will be determined to repeat that feat. This will be a tough outing for Osaka. Considering that Sevastova won the pair’s last two meeting last year, this makes it a hard one to call. But I am going for the upset.
Prediction: Sevastova in 3
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Lesia Tsurenko vs Anett Kontaveit
It would be so Kontaveit-like to beat a top 10 player and then lose to Tsurenko. No disrespect to Tsurenko, but this is familiar trend for the Estonian. On the back of a very good result she would lose her next match against a player she should easily beat. Tsurenko has also won their only hard court meeting. But you always worry with Tsurenko, if her body can hold up. I am picking Kontaveit to change the trend, and make the semis.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 2
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Donna Vekic vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Sasnovich’s victory over Svitolina has opened the door in the top half of the draw. She plays Donna Vekic, whom herself conjured a giant-killing upset over Kiki Bertens by saving two match points. Vekic owns Sasnovich on head-to-head 2-0. However, considering that Sasnovich reached the final here last year, I think the conditions suit her more than Vekic. Also, after losing the second set 6-0 against Svitolina, I doubted she would hit back. Sasnovich is a smart pick.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 2
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Karolina Pliskova vs Ajla Tomljanovic
I am almost inclined to pick an Australian to win a match in Australia. Pliskova, surprisingly, is among the only seeded players this week, along with Osaka of course, who has more than hold her own. With the likes of Kasatkina, Kvitova, Stephens all losing early, she has been going about her business quite impressively, but looking at Tomljanovic this week, she has also been excellent. I think we might see three sets, or at least a tiebreak here, and we will see another seed fall. Tomljanovic is playing in front of her home crowd, and that could be crucial on pressure points.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 3
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