Much like the quarterfinals, it will be an interesting semifinal line-up at the Internationaux de Strasbourg on Friday. Here is a quick look at the four semifinalists, and the results that could emerge in the two matches:
WTA Strasbourg Semifinal Predictions
Chloe Paquet vs Caroline Garcia
The French derby will see a first-time WTA semifinalist – in Paquet – taking on Garcia, who will be playing her first semifinal this season. There is a lot to lose – and gain – for both players. But as the seeded player, the fourth-seeded Garcia has a tad more on the line as compared to her lower-ranked opponent of the day.
Up to her run this week in Strasbourg, the #223rd Paquet had not won a main draw match on the WTA Tour in 2019. In her two previous attempts, after having come through the qualifiers in Hua Hin and Bogota, she lost in the opening round. On Thursday, Paquet upset Daria Gavrilova in straight sets, 6-3 7-6(1), even as Garcia needed three sets to beat Marta Kostyuk. Coming from a set down, Garcia quelled the resistance of Kostyuk, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Their contrasting result notwithstanding, Garcia’s resilience should take her onward into the final.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Aryna Sabalenka vs Dayana Yastremska
A stand-off between the two Eastern Europeans, this contest promises to be riveting. This year, Sabalenka is slowly finding her feet on the court even as Yastremska is making the most of her relative newbie status.
The 19-year-old, seeded sixth this week, needed just 63 minutes to get past Fiona Ferro in their quarterfinal. Against Sabalenka, she will take on a familiar face–although it has been nearly two years since they played each other. That result, in a qualifying match at the 2017 St. Petersburg Open, went Yastremska’s way in three sets. The path of their respective careers has changed a lot between then and now.
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Sabalenka, then, goes in as the favourite. But will the Belarusian’s inconsistencies catch up with her? Either way, this is an important match for two talented youngsters looking for even more confidence heading into the French Open.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3
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