It’s semifinal day at the WTA 500 level Sydney Classic. We are left with a couple of interesting matches as three of the world’s Top 10 players remain in the draw. A battle between a pair of top 10 players sees Barbora Krejcikova face Anett Kontaveit, whilst Paula Badosa faces giant-killing Daria Kasatkina in the night session. Who will advance to the final?
WTA Sydney semifinal predictions
Barbora Krejcikova vs Anett Kontaveit
H2H: Kontaveit 1-0
Krejcikova and Kontaveit have both barely raised a sweat on route to the semifinals in Sydney. Krejcikova received a bye through the first round before beating Jaqueline Cristian 6-1 7-5 and Caroline Garcia 6-0 6-2. Meanwhile, Kontaveit beat Shuai Zhang 6-3 6-3 and Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3 6-1 before benefiting from the retirement of Ons Jabeur as she led 6-4. This semifinal clash looms as a step up for both.
Kontaveit prevailed in the only previous meeting between the pair, a fairly comprehensive 6-3 6-4 victory during the group stage of the WTA Finals last year. Kontaveit was on a roll at that stage of the season whilst Krejcikova was fading. Krejcikova seemingly has a better chance heading into this clash in Sydney.
Kontaveit ended 2021 in better form than Krejcikova, but this is a new season. I’ll give the slight edge to Krejcikova here because of her versatility and ability to make life uncomfortable for Kontaveit on what is reportedly a relatively slow centre court. Krejcikova has more to her game.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 3
Paula Badosa vs Daria Kasatkina
H2H: First meeting
Paula Badosa has made a bright start to the season in Sydney. The Spaniard has come through a difficult draw to reach the semifinals. Badosa began the week with a 7-6 6-1 win over Jelena Ostapenko before beating Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3 6-4. The 24-year-old booked her spot in the semifinals with a hard-fought 7-6 3-6 6-3 win over Belinda Bencic.
Daria Kasatkina’s run to the final 4 in Sydney has been equally impressive. The Russian defeated Sofia Kenin 6-4 6-0 in the first round, before eliminating Elise Mertens with a 6-3 6-4 triumph. Kasatkina scored her biggest win in the quarterfinals where she knocked out the top ranked player in the draw Garbine Muguruza 6-4 6-4.
This will be the first career meeting between the pair. Badosa is the clear pick here. The Spaniard possesses more firepower off all shots. That was also the case with Muguruza against Kasatkina. However, Badosa is far more disciplined and has a much greater tolerance for versatility and longer rallies. Expect Badosa to be too strong.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
