Four more players remain in the playing field. Who will take their place in the final and become the Queen of Madrid? Here are my predictions for semifinals day at the 2019 Mutua Madrid Open.
Mutua Madrid Open Semifinal Predictions
Kiki Bertens vs Sloane Stephens
Head to head: Stephens leads 2-0
A tough match to predict in terms of who will come out on top. Bertens pulled out an fantastic performance by upsetting Kvitova in convincing in the previous match, and will be the favorite for this semifinal. Kvitova is in of the in-form players on tour, and if she can do that, she can do it again.
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Stephens is still a bit up and down with her results. Sometimes she plays well, sometimes she doesn’t. It’s just very hard to predict her game. When she’s on she’s close to unbeatable–as evidenced by her US Open title in 2017 and her French Open final appearance last year. She doesn’t always bring that level outside of the biggest events, though, and Bertens has been much more consistent than the American recently.
Prediction: Bertens in 2
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Simona Halep vs Belinda Bencic
Head-to-head record: Bencic leads 2-1
Bencic beat Osaka in the previous round in three physically long sets. Does she have enough in the tank and create back-to-back upsets here in Madrid? It will be another physically demanding match for Bencic, as Halep has been playing well all tournament and is yet to drop a set.
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Surprisingly, it is the young Swiss that leads their head-to-head record, but this will be their first meeting on clay. Halep is far more comfortable playing on clay than Bencic is, so she should win this match, but it will be close depending on which Halep turns up.
Prediction: Halep in 2
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