One of the most popular WTA 1000 events of the year, quality matches are coming thick and fast in Cincinnati. With barely two weeks to go until the US Open in New York, this is a vital time for the game’s best to find their top level. Here’s how today shapes up.
WTA Cincinnati Day 4 Predictions
Zhang Shuai vs Anett Kontaveit
Head-to-head: Kontaveit 3-1
After climbing to the lofty heights of world #2 after Wimbledon, Kontaveit has struggled to convince the doubters with her recent performances. A string of inconsistent results dogged her in Europe and she also lost last week in Montreal at the first time of asking. Shuai, who mainly plies her trade in the doubles, doesn’t have much singles form either. She hasn’t made it past the first round of any WTA 1000 event or above this year, but her opening-round victory over Naomi Osaka should be a confidence booster. Nonetheless, back on her favoured surface, this is really a contest that Kontaveit should win as the clock ticks down towards the US Open–at least, if her firepower works.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 2
Elise Mertens vs Caroline Garcia
Head-to-head: 3-2 Garcia
Keen observers of the WTA may have noticed the remarkable amount of tennis that Caroline Garcia has played recently, effectively a tournament every week since Wimbledon’s conclusion. Her success on European clay seems to be slowly but surely adjusting to the U.S. hard court scene too–she has already played and won four matches here this week after coming through qualifying. The dispatching of Maria Sakkari should be an ominous sign for her Belgian opponent. That said, while their personal record is in Garcia’s favor, it’s worth noting that Mertens won the last two meetings, both in 2021, and both on hard courts. Not an easy one to pick, but Garcia’s overall upward trajectory is too impressive to ignore. Hopefully she won’t burn out before New York, though.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Petra Kvitova vs Ons Jabeur
Head-to-head: 3-1 Kvitova
Phew, that was close. After surviving three match points, Jabeur eventually battled past Caty McNally to reach this point, and bring some cheer to a post-Wimbledon period that has severely lacked it. Readers can make up their mind if that victory was an encouraging example of sheer grit and determination or a near-catastrophe against a theoretically-overmatched opponent, but the important thing is the win. Will Jabeur back that up again here? Kvitova is certainly a big name and is showing some signs of form after an underwhelming start to the season. Movement around the court has always been her primary weakness though, and is something that Jabeur, a master of creating angles and manipulating the court, should exploit. However, it just doesn’t seem like Jabeur is quite there yet on this U.S. swing.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Jessica Pegula vs Emma Raducanu
First meeting
Unquestionably one of the biggest draws of the week here, Emma Raducanu, tennis’ next superstar-in-waiting, looks to be getting back her 2021 US Open form. While victories over Serena Williams and Victoria Arazenka aren’t as impactful as they once were, the blistering ease of those wins was certainly reminiscent of her amazing run last year. Jessica Pegula will surely provide a tougher test at this point though, and the #7 seed is the higher-ranked player of the two. She has been in good form too – making the semi-finals in the singles draw in Canada last week and also winning the doubles there. Make no mistake, this will be a real litmus test for both players, but given Pegula’s overall level right now, she gets the nod for this one.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
