The semifinal matches are set at the WTA 250 in Parma. In what has come to be expected in the WTA, just two seeds make up the four semifinalists and only one of the top five seeds in the draw has reached this stage. That seed is the tournament’s #1-seeded player Maria Sakkari, who is the heavy favorite to take the title.
However, the fall clay court swing is full of specialists on the surface including the three other semifinalists. All of the players are veterans with Danka Kovinic hoping to use her experience on the surface to get past Sakkari and compete for her first WTA title in her career. Both Ana Bogdan and Mayar Sherif are comfortable on clay as well, and as neither were expected to reach the semis, are looking forward to continuing their run and making the most of the opportunity. It will likely be another exciting day of tennis with plenty to gain for all four women and both matches are previewed below.
WTA Parma Semifinal Predictions
Ana Bogdan vs Mayar Sherif
Head-to-head: first meeting
Sherif is the big surprise semifinalist but has looked great this week, winning all six sets she has played. She is at a rare stage for her, as she has reached just one WTA final in her career. Bogdan has also not made a final above the 125 level, but she captured her first career title at the WTA 125 event on clay in Romania earlier this year. Bogdan has never historically favored one given surface but excelled on clay this year with an impressive 18-7 record on the surface.
Sherif is much more of a specialist, winning a majority of her matches on clay. In 2022, Sherif has a 16-5 record on clay compared to 3-12 on all other surfaces. Both players are in good current form and have transitioned to clay after the US Open. The difference in this match will come down to Sherif’s comfort on the surface and her strong play this week proving herself as a real threat for the title in Parma. The Egyptian has been sharp all week and she will pull off the upset to reach the final.
Prediction: Sherif in 3
Maria Sakkari vs Danka Kovinic
Head-to-head: 2-1 Kovinic
Though Kovinic has the edge in their prior meetings, they have not played since 2018. Sakkari has drastically improved since then and is now one of the top players on Tour. She is an all-court player and has had most of her success on clay courts. Kovinic is much more of a clay court specialist who is looking to make the most of her opportunity on clay before the year’s end. She is a solid player with great results at the ITF level but has beaten a player ranked in the Top 10 just three times in her long career.
Sakkari has looked a bit vulnerable this week, dropping the first set in all three of her matches. However, Kovinic has not been rather dominant either, losing a set in two of her three matches. The matchup certainly favors Sakkari, with her elite power and fitness allowing her to give Kovinic more than she can handle. The Greek should advance to fight for her first title of 2022.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
