It has been a thrilling start to the week in Doha, with some stunning upsets handed out on day three. And with a place in the quarterfinals on the line on day four at the Qatar Open, the excitement looks set to continue. But who will book their place in the last eight and who will slump to defeat? We’re predicting all eight articles on the day, between this and a second article.
Qatar Open Day Four Predictions
Karolina Pliskova vs Ons Jabeur
Head-to-head: Pliskova 1-0 Jabeur
Karolina Pliskova, who is looking to win her second Qatar Open title, made a fine start to her campaign, dismissing the USA’s Bernarda Pera 6-3 6-0 in just 56 minutes after a first-round bye. But the Czech may face a sterner test in the second up against Australian Open quarterfinalist Ons Jabeur. The Tunisian excels at disrupting her opponent’s rhythm and she will look to stop Pliskova dominating from the baseline. But Pliskova managed to find a way through Jabeur at the US Open, winning a hard-fought encounter in the third round, and she should be able to do the same in Doha.
Prediction: Pliskova in 3
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Amanda Anisimova vs Svetlana Kuznetsova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Amanda Anisimova’s easy power and ability to redirect the ball may well give her the edge over the stalwart veteran Svetlana Kuznetsova. The American young gun has certainly impressed so far at the Qatar Open, scoring excellent wins over the in-form Ekaterina Alexandrova and the third seed Elina Svitolina, both in straight-sets. But she will not have things all her own way against Kuznetsova, who has looked sharp in thrashing Cagla Buyukakcay and Iga Swiatek. Nonetheless, after what has been a difficult six months for the teen phenom, the cobwebs look to be clearing away, with Anisimova appearing to be close to her best, mentally and physically.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
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Maria Sakkari vs Aryna Sabalenka
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 2-1 Sakkari
Two big hitters, strong servers and athletic movers will clash for the second time in as many weeks when Aryna Sabalenka steps on to court to face Maria Sakkari. It was the Belarusian who came out on top in Dubai, beating Sakkari 6-2 4-6 6-1 after a protracted battle in the first round. But Sakkari will doubtless have been extremely frustrated by that defeat, particularly after she had made such a strong start to the season. Expect her to make the necessary tactical adjustments to better keep the ball out of Sabalenka’s hitting zones and level their head-to-head as a result.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
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Garbine Muguruza vs Dayana Yastremska
Head-to-head: Yastremska 2-1 Muguruza
On paper, this looks like a tough match for Garbine Muguruza, with Dayana Yastremska in excellent form. The Ukrainian opened her Qatar Open campaign by beating Kirsten Flipkens, 6-2 6-4, and the Ukrainian backed that up by upsetting Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, with the American frustrated by her lack of rhythm. Yastremska showed admirable composure in that match, rallying from 0-3 down in the second set by reeling off five straight-games, ultimately sealing a 6-3 7-6 win.
But Muguruza, who reached her first Grand Slam final since 2018 at the Australian Open in January, has also impressed of late. The Spaniard battled past Daria Kasatkina 7-5 5-7 6-3 in her opener and she backed that up by thrashing Ajla Tomljanovic 6-1 6-2. If she can continue to use her linear shots, especially her backhand down the line, to good effect, expect her to prove too strong for Yastremska, who can struggle when rushed.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
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