It’s quarterfinal day at the WTA 1000 level National Bank Open in Toronto. It has been a week of upsets in Toronto, only two of the top 10 seeds remain in the draw, each player left will feel they have a legitimate chance to go all the way. The seventh seeded Jessica Pegula is the highest seed left, she faces a tricky test against Yulia Putintseva, whilst Simona Halep is arguably the favorite to go all the way, she faces the tenth seeded Coco Gauff. Let’s take a look at Friday’s quarterfinal matchups. Who will advance to the semifinals?
WTA Toronto Quarterfinal Predictions
Jessica Pegula vs Yulia Putintseva
H2H: First meeting.
This will surprisingly be the first time that Pegula and Putintseva go head-to-head on the WTA Tour. Pegula secured her spot in the final eight with a hard-fought 3-6 7-5 6-0 victory over defending champion Camila Giorgi. This is another solid result for Pegula who just made her debut in the top 10 after another impressive season.
Meanwhile, Yulia Putintseva has made the most of some good fortune this week to have one of her better results in some time. Putintseva only just defeated qualifier Katherine Sebov in the first round, 7-5 in the third before benefiting from the retirement of Paula Badosa after one set. Putintseva produced her most complete performance of the week to secure a spot in the quarterfinals with a 6-3 7-5 win over Alison Riske. It will be interesting to see if the versatility of Putintseva can unsettle Pegula, playing against Giorgi in the previous round isn’t great preparation for this matchup. I sense Putintseva could pull off the upset.
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Karolina Pliskova vs Qinwen Zheng
H2H: First meeting.
Karolina Pliskova and Qinwen Zheng each came through dramatic three set matches to reach the quarterfinals. Pliskova stumbled at the finish line multiple times before finally beating an erratic Maria Sakkari 6-1 6-7 6-3. Whilst Zheng defeated Bianca Andreescu 7-5 5-7 6-2. Both players will be trying to execute a similar style in the first meeting between the pair. Experience is on the side of Pliskova, that might be the most valuable edge in this relatively even matchup with a spot in the semifinals on the line.
Prediction: Pliskova in 3
Belinda Bencic vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
H2H: Bencic 1-0.
Beatriz Haddad Maia added another significant chapter to her career best season when she upset world no. 1 Iga Swiatek 6-4 3-6 7-5 to make the final eight in Toronto. In doing so, Haddad Maia became the first Brazilian to reach the quarterfinals of a WTA 1000 level event. Meanwhile, Belinda Bencic has cruised into the final eight without dropping a set.
The Swiss player is coming off two dominant wins over notable opponents, a 6-2 6-4 win over Serena Williams followed by a 6-1 6-3 win over Garbine Muguruza. Bencic defeated Haddad Maia 6-3 6-2 in Sydney earlier this year in their only previous encounter. Haddad Maia has improved significantly since that match, but I still think Bencic will have the edge. Haddad Maia’s tricky game can throw opponents off, but Bencic has the consistent, aggressive game to counter, plus she will enjoy the Brazilian’s lefty patterns that play into her stronger backhand side.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Coco Gauff vs Simona Halep
H2H: Halep 3-0.
Cori Gauff and Simona Halep will go head-to-head for the third time this season when they do battle in Toronto. Halep got the better of Gauff in straight sets in each of their previous encounters this season, a 6-3 6-4 win at Indian Wells and more recently a 6-4 6-4 victory in Madrid. Gauff’s form and confidence have grown since those encounters; she will surely have a greater chance at victory on this occasion.
Nevertheless, I think Halep will continue her dominance of the American. Gauff is coming off two draining victories, including a 7-5 4-6 7-6 win over Aryna Sabalenka in the previous round, a match that lasted just over three hours and was the longest of her professional career. That’s not ideal preparation to face someone like Halep. Meanwhile, Halep has moved through the draw without dropping a set and generally plays very well in this tournament.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
