It’s quarterfinal day at the 2022 WTA 250 Copa Colsanitas in Bogota, Colombia. The top seed and defending champion Camila Osorio will headline the action on Friday where she will be an overwhelming favorite against Elina Avanesyan. Osorio is the only seed remaining in the draw. Will she safely make her way to the semifinals?
WTA Bogota Quarterfinal Predictions
Dayana Yastremska vs Laura Pigossi
H2H: First meeting
Dayana Yastremska is having a good week in Bogota with a pair of straight set victories over decent opposition on the red dirt. The Ukrainian started the week with a 7-5 6-1 win over the 4th seeded Panna Udvardy before defeating the experienced Sara Errani 6-3 7-6.
Laura Pigossi arrived in Bogota having never won a WTA tour level main draw match, she’s now into a maiden quarterfinal at this level. The Brazilian has won 8 consecutive sets, the only set she’s lost this week came in her opening match in the qualifying draw. Pigossi secured her first ever main draw win at this level with a 6-4 6-3 win over the 5th seeded Harmony, she backed up that victory very nicely with a 6-3 6-2 win over Ekaterine Gorgodze.
This is surely where Pigossi’s run comes to an end. The 27-year-old is having the tournament of her life, but Yastremska is clearly several classes above. Yastremska is prone of losing inferior opponents on an off day, but that seems very unlikely gives the way she played in her first few matches this week.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Mirjam Bjorklund vs Tatjana Maria
H2H: First meeting.
Mirjam Bjorklund and Tatjana Maria are unlikely to see a better opportunity to reach a WTA tour level semifinal than this Bogota quarterfinal matchup. Bjorklund has already achieved the best result of her career this week by making a maiden quarterfinal at this level, whilst Maria has defied the odds at 34 years of age to get back to this stage of a tour level event as a qualifier.
Tatjana Maria only just scraped through the qualifying draw as she required a final set tiebreaker to defeat Barbara Gatica at the final hurdle. The German has produced a pair of clinical performances in the main draw, defeating fellow qualifier María Carlé 6-1 6-2 and the 3rd seeded Rebecca Peterson 6-1 6-4. Meanwhile, Bjorklund has made the most of a very favourable draw with a pair of straight set wins of her own. A 6-1 6-3 win over Renata Zarazua was followed by a 6-1 6-4 victory against Yuliana Lizarazo.
Experience at this level is definitely on the side of the German. However, Bjorklund is a player on the rise and looks to have a decent chance in this matchup. I’m sensing an upset here, Maria is vulnerable having already played four matches this week at this later stage of her career, Bjorklund is fresh and has nothing to lose.
Prediction: Bjorklund in 3.
Kamilla Rakhimova vs Irina Bara
H2H: First meeting.
Kamilla Rakhimova produced one of the biggest upsets of the tournament as she defeated the 2nd seeded Beatriz Haddad Maia 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the second round. A surprising result for Rakhimova who entered the tournament on a six match losing streak.
Irina Bara has made the most of a favourable draw this week to reach a rare quarterfinal at this level. The Romanian started the week with a 6-3 7-5 win over Paula Ormaechea, before defeating Suzan Lamens 6-0 0-6 6-4.
This is an open matchup, both players would fancy their chances. I’ll side with Bara who has achieved more on clay at this level throughout her career. Rakhimova will probably regress after a big win in the previous round.
Prediction: Bara in 3
Camila Osorio vs Elina Avanesyan
H2H: First meeting.
Camila Osorio claimed a maiden WTA title in Bogota 12 months ago as a 19-year-old wild card. The Colombian has steadily improved since then and now finds herself in prime position to successfully defend her title. Granted Osorio hasn’t been at her best this week, but she hasn’t had to be at her best. Osorio advanced via a retirement in the opening round when her opponent Ylena In-Albon succumbed to cramps early at 2-2 in the third set. A 6-3 7-6 second round win over İpek Öz was tougher than expected, but a win, nonetheless.
Elina Avanesyan is through to a maiden WTA Tour-level quarterfinal. The 19-year-old has barely raised a sweat this week during a pair of comfortable straight set victories. A 6-1 6-2 opening round win over the 8th seeded Harriet Dart was followed by a 6-2 6-2 win against Lucrezia Stefanini. Facing Osorio in the next round will be a massive step up in competition. I suspect Osorio will be too strong on this occasion as she pushes for an eighth consecutive victory in Bogota.
Prediction: Osorio in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
