Day 5 at the 2022 WTA Nottingham Open will see the four singles quarterfinal matches contested on Friday. The grass court tournament, which is held at the Nottingham Tennis Centre, has been a WTA 250 level event since 2015. The first women’s edition of the Nottingham Open was held in 1971. The quarterfinal lineup features some intriguing matchups, with the clash between Maria Sakkari and Beatriz Haddad Maia the standout contest.
WTA Nottingham Quarterfinal Predictions
Zhang Shuai vs Tereza Martincova
Head-to-head: First meeting (Shuai won in the second qualifying round for the 2016 Australian Open)
Both players have advanced to the last eight without dropping a set, though Tereza Martincova has faced a more challenging draw. The 27-year-old Czech downed World No. 85 Oceane Dodin in the opening round, before seeing off 67th-ranked Magda Linette in the last 16. Zhang Shuai, meanwhile, has beaten 128th-ranked qualifier Cristina Bucsa and World No. 235 and wildcard Jodie Burrage.
The pair have both achieved good results on grass. Zhang reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2019 and was a runner-up in Nottingham last year. Martincova made the last eight in both Nottingham and Birmingham in 2021, before losing to eventual finalist Karolina Pliskova in the third round at Wimbledon. Despite failing to win a match during the clay season, the confidence gained from her two impressive wins this week may help Martincova through against her 33-year-old opponent.
Prediction: Martincova in 3
Alison Riske vs Harriet Dart
Head-to-head: First meeting
Alison Riske has earned straight-set victories over Daria Snigur and Caroline Garcia to progress to the quarterfinals. Harriet Dart defeated former champion Donna Vekic in straight sets in the opening round, before saving three match points to impressively edge World No. 26 Camila Giorgi in three sets.
The American was a finalist at this event in 2016, but also won a grass court title at the Rosmalen Championships that year and reached the last eight of Wimbledon in 2019. That pedigree and experience on the surface should give the 31-year-old a slight edge, despite her 25-year-old opponent’s form at an event in her home nation.
Prediction: Riske in 3
Ajla Tomljanovic vs Viktorija Golubic
Head-to-head: First meeting (Tomljanovic 2-0 at Challenger and ITF level)
Both these players have picked up where they left off last year on grass courts, when they both made the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. Neither have dropped a set en route to this stage, with Ajla Tomljanovic overcoming Wang Xinyu and Katie Boulter.
Viktorija Golubic, meanwhile, led Emma Raducanu 4-3 in the first set in the opening round before the Brit was forced to retire, before beating Heather Watson in the second round. The two 29-year-old’s have both displayed their ability on this surface, but the Australian’s extra matchplay in her two strong wins could just tilt the balance in her favour.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 3
Maria Sakkari vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Head-to-head: Haddad Maia 1-0 Sakkari
Top seed Maria Sakkari defeated Camila Osorio in straight sets in the opening round before battling past Rebecca Marino in three sets in the last 16. The World No. 5 hit 11 double faults in the latter and is yet to win three successive WTA matches on grass in her career.
Beatriz Haddad Maia overcame Wang Qiang in a tight three-setter in the opening round before seeing off Lily Miyazaki in straight sets to reach the last eight. The 26-year-old Brazilian overcame Sakkari in three sets in the pair’s only meeting in Indian Wells this year. The tall left-hander’s power could trouble Sakkari again on the grass, but the Greek’s higher ceiling should give her the edge with two wins under her belt.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
