Tennis is back in Guadalajara after the city did a great job hosting the 2021 WTA Finals. The level of play early this week at the 1000-level WTA Guadalajara Open has not disappointed as some of the best players in the world look to secure their spot in the year-end finals. As always, we here at LWOT are offering our predictions for every match happening around the grounds, including Coco Gauff vs Martina Trevisan. But who will reach the quarterfinals?
WTA Guadalajara Day 4 Predictions
Victoria Azarenka vs Madison Keys
Head-to-head: Azarenka 2-0 Keys
Victoria Azarenka and Madison Keys are set to square off for the third time with the Belarusian having won both of their previous encounters. Azarenka has had an up-and-down 2022 season, struggling to put together multiple solid matches in a row. A run to the weekend of this 1000-level event in Guadalajara may be a solid spark for the former World #1 ahead of the 2023 season. Keys, on the other hand, is still in contention for a spot in the 2022 WTA Finals. She must make at least the semifinals in Guadalajara for a chance to make it to Fort Worth. I believe this will serve as a major motivator for the 27-year-old American. Expect Keys to come out with a fire that will be very hard for Azarenka to match.
Prediction: Keys in 3
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Caroline Garcia vs Sloane Stephens
Head-to-head: Garcia 4-1 Stephens
Caroline Garcia and Sloane Stephens are set to square off for the sixth time, but the first this season. Garcia has dominated this head-to-head, winning four of their five meetings including three in straight sets. The Frenchwoman has had a revival of a season and currently sits in sixth place in the Race to the WTA Finals. She has played well in the big moments, reaching the semifinals at the US Open and winning the Cincinnati Masters. Plagued by inconsistencies, Stephens has not had nearly as good of a season as Garcia. With that said, her powerful groundstrokes still make her a very troubling foe on a hard court. Stephens was able to take out the 10th seed Belinda Bencic last round, but it is hard not to favour Garcia’s consistency to win out in what should be one of the most tightly contested battles of the day.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
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Marie Bouzkova vs Liudmila Samsonova
Head-to-head: Bouzkova 1-1 Samsonova
Although Marie Bouzkova and Liudmila Samsonova both came into this draw unseeded, the winner of this matchup will find themselves in the Guadalajara quarterfinals. The two have split their only previous meetings, though, both came in 2019 qualifying rounds. Bouzkova, #38, and Samsonova, #22, both achieved career-high rankings this month. They both favor hard courts as their favorite surface and look to bully their opponent into the back of the court with a tenacious style of play. It will be an interesting clash of similar game styles which leads me to believe the more consistent player will win out. In her current form, Samsonova, who holds a 20-2 record since the beginning of August should have the edge.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
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Jessica Pegula vs Bianca Andreescu
Head-to-head: Pegula 1-1 Andreescu
In one of the more star-studded matchups of the day, third seed Jessica Pegula takes on former world #4 Bianca Andreescu. Both Pegula and Andreescu came back from a set down to win their respective round two matches. Pegula currently holds a career-high ranking of world #5. She has turned into one of the hardest outs on tour with her consistency from the baseline. Pegula is looking to reach her fifth 1000-level quarterfinal this season. Andreescu, on the other hand, is still looking to recapture her 2019 form. The 22-year-old Canadian lacks the consistency to put out world-class performances week in and week out. Expect Andreescu to really push Pegula, especially in the first set, but in the end the American should be able to wear her down.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
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