The semifinals are is set at the WTA Stuttgart. World #1 Ashleigh Barty is among them, as is clay-court powerhouse Simona Halep. Both will feel good about their chances of making the finals after strong showings in Friday’s action. But who will book their place in the final?
WTA Stuttgart Tennis Grand Prix Semifinal Predictions
Simona Halep vs Aryna Sabalenka
Head-to-head: Halep 3-1 Svitolina
Aryna Sabalenka has surprised me in Stuttgart. The Belarusian has traditionally struggled on the red dirt, but has been blistering so far in Germany. She was tested against Anett Kontaveit, but came through that challenge well to book her place in the semifinals. Unfortunately for her, she now faces a player she has had little success against over the course of her career. Sabalenka has the power to cause most on the tour trouble, but keeping it going for long enough to win a match will be a real challenge against Simona Halep.
The Romanian has been brilliant so far in Germany. She is yet to drop a set so far this week and looks the favourite to take the title given her prowess on clay. She counterpunches better than anyone in the women’s game and her speed around the court allows her to be more aggressive on clay than on other surfaces. Given her success against Sabalenka on hard courts, it’s hard to pick against Halep on her favourite surface. The second seed should advances here.
Prediction: Halep in 2
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Ashleigh Barty vs Elina Svitolina
Head-to-head: Svitolina 5-2 Barty
Ashleigh Barty saved match points against Karolina Pliskova to sneak into the semifinals in Stuttgart. The Aussie made a meal of what should have been a comfortable win, but got the job done in the end. She now looks like a good bet to win back to back titles after defending her Miami Open title. Her backhand slice and general variety in terms of shot-making have made her a tough opponent to beat so far this year. Those weapons are particularly effective on clay, so she will surely feel good about her chances of going all the way here. In her way is an inspired Elina Svitolina.
The Ukrainian has been brilliant so far in Germany. She came from a set down to best defending champion Petra Kvitova in the quarterfinals. That win came after a solid performance to dismiss another former champion in Angelique Kerber. Svitolina performs best when she is aggressive, using her defense and court coverage as a safety blanket rather than a crutch to keep her in matches. She has done just that so far in Stuttgart and will need to do the same in the semifinals if she is to have any chance of winning. Barty should dictate the tempo in this match and so I will give her the edge here. This may be tight, but the Australian should advance.
Prediction: Barty in 3
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