It has been something of a blood bath in Eastbourne for the top WTA seeds in the early rounds. Garbine Muguruza is already the highest seed left in the draw at #5 and there are some very tricky draws for the remaining seeds as well on Day 4. Quarterfinal places beckon for the victors though so lots of valuable ranking points available, unlike next week’s grass court event. We also predict the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article.
WTA Eastbourne Day 4 Predictions
Kirsten Flipkens vs Viktoriya Tomova
Head-to-Head: 2-0 Flipkens
“At last, we meet again!” It has been a whole two days since Flipkens beat Tomova in the final qualifying round at Eastbourne. However, the match couldn’t have been much closer, it was decided by a final set tiebreak that the veteran Belgian edged. With both players going on to win as underdogs in round one I expect another close encounter here. Indeed, Tomova had break point in the final set at 5-5 that would’ve allowed her to serve for the match. The desire for a bit of payback may well add that extra bit of desire to the Bulgarian’s play and with little else between them it could serve to be the difference required.
Prediction: Tomova in 3
Garbine Muguruza vs Camila Giorgi
Head-to-Head: 2-2
There is so little difference in the key form lines in this match. Both ladies have a losing 2022 WTA Tour record, both win around 63% of their career grass court matches and they are level in their head-to-head record. They last met on grass as well, at Wimbledon last year, Muguruza coming out on top in a tight, long three setter. All indications are that this match could be similar, but, as always with Giorgi, you have to ride the wave with her game. The Italian has had more grass time under her belt before this match and her flat groundstrokes could rush the Muguruza footwork enough to win this one.
Prediction: Giorgi in 3
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Jodie Burrage
Head-to-Head: 1-0 Haddad Maia
Burrage is having a phenomenal grass court season. The British player looks to be catapulting herself into a career high ranking and has the chance of winning a career best haul of points after a superb win over #1 seed Paula Badosa. The only problem is that she is coming up against the most in-form player on grass on the whole tour in the Brazilian. Haddad Maia has won back-to-back WTA tournaments in Nottingham and Birmingham and has moved on to the south coast in her quest for greater domination of the UK than anyone since the Roman Empire. Haddad Maia has to be the pick here though, backing up an amazing win is always tough to do and the Brazilian beat Burrage handily in their encounter in 2020.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Jelena Ostapenko vs Madison Keys
Head-to-Head: 2-0 Keys
Both women have excellent career grass court records, winning 67% and 73% of their matches on grass respectively. Keys dominates with the serve, winning over 80% of her service games on the surface. Ostapenko is more well-rounded, her serve isn’t as dominant but she is able to craft more points in rallies and using the low bounce to her advantage. Ostapenko is the defending champion here and has shown excellent form at times this year, but on this occasion I prefer Keys. The American had her opening match to get back used to grass and will feel comfortable now. Keys tends to round into form for Grand Slams and a good run here should do nicely.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
