The Round of 16 at the WTA 250 in Chennai will conclude on Day 4 as the last four quarterfinalists will be decided. With top-seed Alison Riske-Amritraj falling in Round 1, the draw has opened up nicely for some lower-ranked players to compete deep into the week of this 250-level event. The slate of day four matches are highlighted by the fifth meeting between 2022 Wimbledon semifinalist Tatjana Maria and Argentine Nadia Podoroska. Who will advance in Chennai?
WTA Chennai Day 4 Predictions
Magda Linette vs Oksana Selekhmeteva
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Magda Linette and Oksana Selekhmeteva are set to square off after convincing Round One victories in Chennai. Both players fancy the hard court as their favorite surface, though, the 30-year-old Linette has much more experience than her 19-year-old opponent. This will be Selekhmeteva’s ninth career tour-level match. She has seen a good amount of success at the lower levels over the past few seasons and is looking to slowly transition her game to the tour. The lefty has a strong game from the ground and is not afraid to attack the net. I believe she could push the veteran Linette to a third set, but I like the experience of the Pole to pay off in this one.
Prediction: Linette in 3
Anastasia Gasanova vs Kate Swan
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Anastasia Gasanova looks to back up her convincing upset of #1 seed Alison Riske-Amritraj with a win over Katie Swan of Great Britain. A lot is on the line in this battle between 23-year-olds as Gasanova is looking to reach just her second career tour-level quarterfinal while Swan is hunting for her first. Though they are the same age, the Russian has a lot more tour-level experience than the Brit. Gasanova proved her prowess with a 6-2 6-3 victory over Riske-Amritraj. I like her to carry this momentum deep into this tournament. Expect Gasanova to use an aggressive returning style to take down Swan in straight sets.
Prediction: Gasanova in 2
Varvara Gracheva vs Carol Zhao
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Both Varvara Gracheva and Carol Zhao cruised to straight-set victories in Round 1 in Chennai. Although Gracheva is the #2 seed at this event and comes in ranked over 100 spots higher than Zhao, these two have both been in very poor form over the past six weeks. Gracheva came into this tournament having lost ten straight matches. Zhao had lost five straight. Although their Round One victories showed solid tennis, you have to wonder if these two are truly in form. Because of the uncertainty of both players, I give the slight edge to the 27-year-old Canadian. Carol Zhao is the much more comfortable player on hard courts and has seen more sustained success this season (albeit mostly at the Challenger level).
Prediction: Zhao in 3
Tatjana Maria vs Nadia Podoroska
Head-to-Head: Maria 3-1 Podoroska
#4 seed Tatjana Maria and Nadia Podoroska are set to square off for the fifth time, and second in the past month. Back in Granby in late August, Maria bested Podoroska 7-5 6-1. The 35-year-old German has had a revival of a season in 2022. Her current ranking of world no. 84 is the highest she has held since August 2019 and would be much higher if ranking points were awarded at Wimbledon. Nadia Podoroska, on the other hand, has played in just 23 matches this season. Of those 23, just three have come on hard courts. Comparatively, Maria is 18-12 on hard courts this season. She should use her strong form and consistency to get past the Argentine.
Prediction: Maria in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
