The quarterfinals of the WTA Internationaux de Strasbourg are here! It’s been an exciting week of action and we are getting to crunch time in the tournament. Eight players remain in the Strasbourg field, all desperate to raise the trophy. Who will advance to the semifinals and who will fall short? Read on to find out!
WTA Strasbourg Quarterfinal Predictions
Nao Hibino vs Jelena Ostapenko
Head to Head: 2-0 Ostapenko
Nao Hibino backed up her win over Sloane Stephens with a straight sets victory over Zarina Diyas. Hibino did well to save eight of the ten break points she faced during the match. Jelena Ostapenko came back from a set down to beat Kiki Bertens, although Bertens when she was down in the third set. Ostapenko’s power is so difficult for opponents to handle and that will be a massive challenge for Hibino.
Ostapenko leads the head to head 2-0, having won both matches in straight sets, yet having not played on clay yet. Ostapenko, a former French Open champion, is the much better clay court player. She should overwhelm Hibino with her power and control the baseline. Expect Ostapenko to easily advance to the semifinals.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Shuai Zhang vs Elena Rybakina
Head to Head: 1-0 Rybakina
Shuai Zhang beat Clara Burel in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals. Zhang, who’s game doesn’t translate great to clay, has done well to reach this point in the tournament. Elena Rybakina survived a second set scare to reach the quarterfinals. Rybakina served for the match, but got broken and had to save a couple set points to eventually win the second set (and the match) 10-8 in the tiebreak. The straight sets win meant that had Rybakina has still not dropped a set on her way to the quarterfinals.
Rybakina leads the head to head 1-0, having won a straight setter in Hobart (hard court) earlier this season. Rybakina’s depth and pace have been at a high level this tournament. Rybakina is also the better clay court player and in better form than Zhang. Expect to see Rybakina in the semifinals.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Katerina Siniakova vs Aryna Sabalenka
Head to Head: never played
Katerina Siniakova’s form continues to improve, as she beat Ekaterina Alexandrova comfortably to reach the quarterfinals. Siniakova’s counterpunching at a high level this tournament. Aryna Sabalenka recovered from a set down to beat Anna Blinkova. Sabalenka’s power is so tough to handle, she is a threat to anyone she plays.
These two have never played before. This is a huge contrast in styles, with Siniakova much, much more defensive than Sabalenka. Given that Sabalenka is still not near her best and a little erratic, and given Siniakova’s uptick in form, this seems like a matchup where Siniakova has the edge. Siniakova forces Sabalenka to hit too many extra balls and advances to the semifinals with a three-set win.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
Jil Teichmann vs Elina Svitolina
Head to Head: never played
Jil Teichmann’s good form has returned on the clay, which has continued into Strasbourg. Teichmann has beat Amanda Anisimova and Anastasia Pacyluchenkova in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals. Teichmann’s lefty game is tough to handle and it can be particularly effective on the clay. Elina Svitolina beat Magda Linette in straight sets in her first match in Strasbourg. Svitolina clearly isn’t at her best yet, but is fighting hard and forcing opponents to play higher-risk shots to beat her.
These two have never played before. The question in this matchup is whether Teichmann will have the rally tolerance to hang with Svitolina and take advantage of the openings Svitolina gives her. With how Teichmann has played so far against solid competition, expect her to continue that run of form and beat Svitolina, who has been a bit more erratic than usual.
Prediction: Teichmann in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
