Day 4 was a disappointing day for the host nation. Their biggest remaining Swiss hope Timea Bacsinszky succumbed, in the end, to the marathon clay match specialist Svetlana Kuznetsova.
The promising Russian 21-year-old Veronika Kudermetova is lurking menacingly in the draw and would be a first time WTA winner, but there is some stiff competition left. Polish 17-year-old Iga Swiatek is loving the red clay of Lugano. She has the makings of a great player. Dare I say it, she could be the Nadal of the women’s game if she keeps growing in clay court stature. Some exciting tennis still awaits in Lugano. Here’s a look at the quarterfinal matches.
WTA Samsung Open Lugano Quarterfinal Predictions
Veronika Kudermetova vs Polona Hercog
No history
Polona Hercog did not look like winning for much of the match against Sorana Cirstea of Romania. Veronika Kudermetova must surely be smelling title blood, as she eyes her first tournament win on the WTA Tour, would underpin her undoubted talent. She is better that her #83 ranking suggests and Hercog will struggle to stop her progressing.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Vera Lapko
No history
The change to clay has brought about rejuvenation in Belorussian Vera Lapko. She has looked jaded at times this season, especially when losing twice in Indian Wells. Lapko was a not-so-lucky loser there. She dropped just two games against Evgeniya Rodina last round and has seen her tenacity return. 17-year-old Swiatek is 40-5 since last season on clay. Granted the bulk of last season’s form was at the ITF level, but she is handling the step up in class in her youthful stride. Vera Lapko is only three years older than her Polish opponent and has unfulfilled potential to realise. This will be a close one, but the youthful Pole should just prevail.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Stefanie Vögele vs Fiona Ferro
No history
French up and coming prospect Fiona Ferro is improving that first service accuracy. 79% 1st serves in has contributed to her last two victories, allowing her to use her strong groundstrokes to grind out points. She is looking strong and has yet to drop a set in Lugano. Voegele carries the hopes of the host nation, but should struggle against a strong server like Ferro.
Prediction: Ferro in 2
Svetlana Kuznetsova vs Kristyna Pliskova
Head-to-head: Kuznetsova 0-1 Krystina Pliskova
33-year-old Russian World #109 has spent 4 hours and 43 minutes on court in just two matches in Lugano. Not bad for someone who hadn’t played on the WTA since September. Svetlana “Stamina” Kuznetsova is how she should really be known. Kuznetsova, the clay veteran, has not been at her best, but she showed guts to outlast Bacsinsky in the round of 16. It’s a scintillating prospect that Kuznetsova could face Iga Swiatek, who is 16 years her junior, in the semis. That said, Kuznetsova is too much of a pro to look beyond Kristyna Pliskova, who is enjoying the red clay and has been playing her best tennis for some time.
The head-to-head is made up of a Wimbledon 2015 victory for Kristyna Pliskova. The Czech player outranks Kuznetsova by eight places also. However, this should be straightforward for the Russian.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 2
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
