We are into the WTA Chennai Open semifinal round, as a field of 32 has whittled itself down to four. Just one of the original eight-seeded players remains in what has turned into a very wide-open draw in Chennai, India. The aforementioned seeded player, Magda Linette, is looking for her third career WTA title. Linda Fruhvirtova, Nadia Podoroska, and Katie Swan are all hunting for their first WTA title. Before they can raise the trophy, two players must win their Saturday semifinal match. Let’s get into the semifinal action in Chennai.
WTA Chennai Semifinal Predictions
Nadia Podoroska vs Linda Fruhvirtova
Head-to-Head: first meeting
25-year-old Nadia Podoroska is into her second career tour-level semifinal and the first since her improbable run to the semis of the 2020 French Open. Her opponent, 17-year-old Linda Fruhvirtova, is into her first career Tour-level semifinal in just her eighth career main draw appearance.
At all levels, Fruhvirtova is 31-8 on hard courts over the past two seasons. Podoroska had to come back from a set down in her last two matches and has spent nearly two more hours on-court than Fruhvirtova. This one is tough to predict as both players are looking to reach their first career tour-level final. I actually think the younger Fruhvirtova will have a sharper mind and be less affected by nerves.
Prediction: Fruhvirtova in 3
Magda Linette vs Katie Swan
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Magda Linette is into her first Tour-level semifinal of the season as she is now the favorite to win her first title since February 2020. The Pole has yet to drop a set this week while also throwing in second-set bagels in her round one and two victories. Her opponent, the 23-year-old Katie Swan, is having one of the best weeks of her young career. Swan has won her last eight matches and holds arguably her best form since 2018. With that said, Linette is the better player. Look for Linette to heavily feature her two-handed backhand in an aggressive manner against Swan, pushing the Brit to suboptimal positions in the court.
Prediction: Linette in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
