The last eight women standing at the WTA Cincinnati Masters are not the usual suspects. But that is perhaps what a five-month long hiatus brought about by a global pandemic brings. But despite a host of upsets earlier in the week, there is no shortage of intrigue in the four quarterfinal matches. The question now is: who will book their place in the semifinals?
WTA Cincinnati Masters Quarterfinal Predictions
Elise Mertens vs Jessica Pegula
Head-to-head: first meeting
Jessica Pegula, who started her week in the qualifying, has certainly spent plenty of time on court at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. But that seems to have sharpened her focus, with the American playing an aggressive game to master the fast courts. Hitting with measured precision, Pegula has struck 159 winners in five matches this week. But she hasn’t yet faced a player of Elise Mertens’ quality.
The Belgian’s return to action in Palermo went poorly as she lost in the first round, but she bounced back with a run to the final in Prague and has impressed so far at the WTA Cincinnati Masters. In the first round, she dismissed Rebecca Peterson 6-0 6-2, before battling past Kristina Mladenovic 6-1 6-7 6-3. Then, in the third round, she overwhelmed Veronika Kudermetova, 6-2 6-3. She does not look likely to bow out just yet. But expect this match to go the distance.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Ons Jabeur vs Victoria Azarenka
Head-to-head: first meeting
Before the pandemic brought a halt to the season, Ons Jabeur was in the form of her life. Despite little tennis having been played, the Tunisian boasts a more than respectable 16-7 record for the year and she has looked in good shape at the WTA Cincinnati Masters. In the first round, she lost the opening set to love against the rising Canadian star Leylah-Annie Fernandez, but rallied to win in three and since then she has looked relatively untroubled in beating Madison Keys and Christina McHale.
But that may say as much about the Americans as it does Jabeur. Don’t expect the resurgent Victoria Azarenka, who has not yet dropped a set, to provide such obliging opposition. It seems that her first-round win over 15th seed Donna Vekic has given Azarenka a much-needed shot of confidence and her performances so far have reminded the world why she once held the #1 ranking. Expect her power and accuracy off the ground to give her the edge over Jabeur.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Naomi Osaka vs Anett Kontaveit
Head-to-head: Osaka 3-0 Kontaveit
Watching Naomi Osaka, it is hard to believe that she is playing her first competitive tournament in over five months. The Japanese has been electric so far this week, firing winners off both wings and serving with clinical precision. That has taken her to wins over 2019 Wimbledon quarterfinalist Karolina Muchova, from a set down, and 16th seed Dayana Yastremska. Her win over the Ukrainian was particularly impressive as she dropped just four games.
But Anett Kontaveit has also impressed. The Estonian, who reached the final in Palermo just over two weeks ago, has not yet dropped a set in New York. She started her week with a 6-3 6-1 win over lucky loser Daria Kasatkina and has not looked back since. In the second round, Kontaveit beat Lexington finalist Jil Teichmann 6-3 6-4 and she then secured her spot in the last eight with a 6-3 6-3 win over Marie Bouzkova, who last year reached the semifinals at the Rogers Cup.
But if Osaka is focused and playing her best, expect her to take another step towards the trophy. She has dominated this head-to-head, winning all three of the pair’s previous matches. That includes victories on hard courts at the Japan Open in Tokyo and at the Dubai Tennis Championships. With the courts at the WTA Cincinnati Masters playing quickly, that should allow Osaka to play on the front foot and take Kontaveit’s time away.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Johanna Konta vs Maria Sakkari
Head-to-head: Konta 3-1 Sakkari
This might well prove to be the match of quarterfinals day at the WTA Cincinnati Masters. Although Johanna Konta has enjoyed the better of their rivalry, winning three of their four previous matches, both women may well feel that they can win this match. Konta’s performances so far have been impressive, with the Briton dropping just eight games in reaching the quarterfinals. In fact, she has not even faced a break point.
But Maria Sakkari should come into this match with plenty of confidence. She opened her campaign with a comprehensive 6-1 6-3 win over Cori Gauff and then beat Yulia Putintseva 6-4 7-6 to set up a quarterfinal clash with Serena Williams. But after winning the first set, the great American’s challenge began to fade. Sakkari levelled the match in a second-set tiebreak and thereafter she was in complete control. Indeed, it was only because her level dropped that Williams managed to win a game in the decider.
Sakkari did eventually close out the match without encountering too many more problems, but she can ill-afford another such lapse against the in-form Konta. Just about every facet of her game has been firing so far in New York and she appears to be enjoying the fast courts. Her bout of lightheadedness and heart palpitations in Lexington is perhaps still a concern, but Konta’s level so far in New York has gone a long way to putting it to bed. Expect her to advance.
Prediction: Konta in 3
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
