It was a bad day to be a seeded player at the BRD Bucharest Open. Not one of the three seeded players in action today will see the quarterfinals. Just in case you missed it …
Top Seed Stunned
Top seed Anastasija Sevastova was handed a devastating blow by qualifier Patricia Maria Tig. Much to the delight of the home crowd, though perhaps not for the tournament organizers, Tig bounced the defending champion in straight sets 6-2, 7-5. The 24-year-old Romanian hasn’t played a WTA level event in two years. The Sevastova serve completely abandoned her today, allowing Tig four breaks of serve (one thanks to Sevastova’s own double fault). The Romanian had 31 winners and 20 unforced errors, while the Latvian had 27 winners to 27 unforced errors. It was a clean and commanding game played by Tig who has gained considerable confidence in her return to tour level play.
Retiring With Injury
The number three seed, Veronika Kudermetova, retired in Thursday’s match, sending Italian qualifier Martina Di Giuseppe on to the quarterfinals. The nature and extent of injury is unknown. After a stellar 6-2 first set win, Kudermetova retired at 4-5 in the second set. We’ll keep you updated on the Kudermetova injury.
An ankle injury in the second set forced the #7 seed Aliona Bolsova to retire. Yet, it remains uncertain that the Spaniard could have staged a comeback after a first set blow out by Barbora Krejcikova. The Czech turned in a stellar performance with 12 winners and a single unforced error. An accomplished doubles player, Krejcikova is now hitting her stride on the singles side. Rising from outside the Top 200, Krejcikova now sits at World #132.
Three seeded players have stayed alive in Bucharest. The #2 seed, Viktoria Kuzmova, the #6 seed, Laura Siegemund and the #8 seed, Kristyna Pliskova are in search of their maiden BRD Bucharest Open title. How will they fare against some unexpected rivals? Here’s a look at the quarterfinal bouts and predictions on who’ll punch their ticket to the semifinals.
BRD Bucharest Open Quarterfinal Predictions
Elena Rybakina vs Viktoria Kuzmova
Head to head: No history
Viktoria Kuzmova hasn’t dropped a set en route to the singles quarterfinals. Her path to the doubles semifinal hasn’t been quite so straightforward. Partnered with Kristyna Pliskova, who she may well face in the singles final, have been pushed to the decider in each of their doubles matches. The in-form Slovenian will not have an easy outing against a dominating Elena Rybakina.
Elena Rybakina has faced tough opponents on her way to the quarterfinals. It took 25 games for Rybakina to edge past Paula Badosa Gibert in the opener. Then, Russian annihilated wild card Jaqueline Cristian, dropping a single in a steamrolling victory. Undoubtedly Kuzmova will be the unseeded Russian’s biggest challenge yet. It’s hard to deny that Rybakina has the level of play and the weapons to put up a fight. But, I just don’t see it being enough to upset the #2 seed.
Prediction: Kuzmova in 3
Irina-Camelia Begu vs Laura Siegemund
Head to head: No history
You can be certain that the Romanian crowd will be fully behind their countrywoman. Irina-Camelia Begu made easy work her opponent, Kaja Juvan in the Round of 16. While many expected Juvan to be a threat to the veteran Romanian, Begu moved through in straight sets. Sure, there were nine service breaks and plenty of double faults, but Begu showed where experience does make a difference. Begu will now face Germany’s Laura Siegemund.
Siegemund has survived some scares on her way to the quarterfinals. Anhelina Kalinina pushed the #6 seed to a decider. And, Lara Arruabarrena challenged the German throughout their 21 game second round. Certainly, Siegemund’s 13 double faults have required her to work awfully hard. And, the mounting unforced error count is another factor contributing to Siegemund’s extended matches. Against a seasoned Begu, Siegemund cannot afford these errors if the title is her goal. Can the German clean up her play? It’s a big question mark in my mind.
Prediction: Begu in 3
Patricia Maria Tig vs Kristyna Pliskova
Head to head: No history
Qualifier Patricia Maria Tig stunned the top seed and defending champion Anastasija Sevastova to gain a spot in the quarterfinals. Tig gave a commanding performance, bouncing Sevastova 6-2 7-5. Perhaps it’s shown Tig what’s possible, though I doubt her quarterfinal opponent, Kristyna Plikova, is convinced. Pliskova has dropped a mere eight games in her last two matches. While this match may be tighter, especially with the pro-Romanian crowd’s boisterous support, it’s a statistically improbability for Tig to bounce another seed in Bucharest.
Prediction: Pliskova in 3
Barbora Krejcikova vs Martina Di Giuseppe
Head to head: No history
Who expected Martina Di Giuseppe to reach the quarterfinals? Certainly, not I! Yet, due to Veronika Kudermetova’s unfortunate injury retirement, the Italian finds herself a bonafide quarterfinalist. It’s doubtful the qualifier would have found herself in this position without her opponent’s withdrawal. Kudermetova was in full control of the match, taking the first set 6-2.
Barbora Krejcikova’s journey to the quarterfinal has been less than straightforward. In the Czech’s opener, she lost the second set 0-6 to Romanian wild card Elena-Gabriela Ruse. The World #12 doubles player was able to reclaim the match in the decider 6-2, but it’s those momentary lapses which cause concern for Krejcikova’s continued success. Had Kudermetova been her opponent, I see her win chance as zero. But against the Italian qualifier Di Giuseppe, a focused Krejcikova can take it in straight sets.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Disagree with our Bucharest Open predictions? As always, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
