It’s almost time to crown a new champion in Guadalajara. It’s semifinal day at the WTA Guadalajara Open, with all four players remaining in the draw seemingly in with a real chance to go all the way this week. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for both semifinals, but who will advance to Sunday’s final?
WTA Guadalajara Semifinal Predictions
Sloane Stephens vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-head: Kalinskaya 1-0 Stephens
Sloane Stephens hasn’t won a WTA title since winning the Miami Open in 2018. In fact, Stephens hasn’t even reached a final since losing in the championship match of the WTA finals later that year. It’s fair to say Stephens has been underachieving over the last couple of seasons. Perhaps that can start to turn around in Guadalajara. Stephens overcame her toughest test of the tournament thus far when she came from a set down to defeat Daria Saville 4-6 6-3 6-2 having previously claimed straight sets wins over Brenda Fruhvirtova 6-2 6-2 and Chloe Paquet 7-5 6-4.
It’s surprising that Anna Kalinskaya has never reached a WTA tour level singles final. That might be about to change. It’s been a relatively tricky pathway to the semifinals for the Russian, but she’s handled it well. Kalinskaya needed three sets to get the better of a pair of young Chinese opponents on the rise, a 6-3 2-6 6-2 win over the 8th seeded Qinwen Zheng followed by a 6-4 0-6 6-4 win against Xinyu Wang. A 6-4 6-1 quarterfinal win over the 4th seeded Camila Osorio was Kalinskaya’s most consistent performance of the week. Kalinskaya won the only previous meeting between the pair. An upset 6-3 6-4 victory for the Russian at the opening round stage of the US Open in 2019.
Experience is on the American’s side, as is the pressure. Stephens is clearly the biggest name left in the tournament; she will know that this is a major opportunity to win her first title in a long time. Kalinskaya is playing well, but she’s likely to be outclassed here. Both players are athletic around the court, defend well and have the ability to step in up and attack. The difference could be the greater margin and versatility Stephens’ game, as well her superior firepower when she lets rip.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
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Marie Bouzkova vs Wang Qiang
Head-to-head: Wang 1-0 Bouzkova
Wang Qiang and Marie Bouzkova have both slipped down the rankings over the last couple of years, but run to the final in Guadalajara would be highly beneficial for both. It will be interesting to see who steps up and makes the most of this opportunity in a matchup that both would consider to be very winnable. Wang has been the most dominant player this week en route to the final four. The 30-year-old hasn’t dropped a set this week, not even close. A 6-2 6-1 opening round win over Lauren Davis was followed by a 6-4 6-2 win against Harmony Tan. Wang secured her spot in the semifinals with a 6-2 6-3 win against Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.
Bouzkova hasn’t been quite as convincing but is seemingly getting stronger and stronger as the tournament progresses. Bouzkova struggled past Doi in the opening round, 4-6 7-5 6-4 before defeating Lucia Bronzetti 7-6 6-2. The Czech secured her in the final four with her most impressive performance in some time, a 6-4 6-1 win over defending champion Sara Sorribes Tormo. I’m going to side with Wang here. The Chinese player has looked especially good this week and is quite frankly the better player. Wang can match the movement of Bouzkova but is more powerful is just about every aspect of the game, this should give her the edge in this matchup.
Prediction: Wang in 2
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