The WTA Doha Open has lived up to its billing so far. This WTA 500 event welcomed some of the biggest names in the sport to the capital of Qatar, and they have not disappointed. Six of the top eight seeds have worked their way to the quarterfinals, setting the stage for a great day of tennis. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for all four quarterfinals, but who will come out on top?
WTA Doha Quarterfinal Predictions
Coco Gauff vs Veronika Kudermetova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Coco Gauff has been one of the most in-form players on the WTA Tour to start the 2023 season. The 18-year-old American holds a 9-1 record this year and is coming off an impressive straight-set victory over Petra Kvitova. In the Doha quarterfinals, Gauff matches up against world #11 Veronika Kudermetova. The two are likely to bring fireworks from the ground in their first-ever meeting as both players strike the ball with as much power as anyone on the WTA Tour. Although Gauff has struggled against the world’s best early in her career, she is in too good of form to pick against her in this one.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
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Maria Sakkari vs Caroline Garcia
Head-to-head: Sakkari 0-3 Garcia
Maria Sakkari has been back to her dominant best so far this week at the WTA Doha, picking up wins over Zheng Qinwen and Ekaterina Alexandrova to reach the quarterfinals. Sakkari has had a bit of a bumpy start to the 2023 season but has always seemed to come alive on the quick courts in Doha. She takes on Caroline Garcia in the quarterfinals, a player who has dominated their head-to-head. Garcia’s 3-0 head-to-head lead should play a big factor in this match. She should have the ability to play very freely and make Sakkari uncomfortable on-court. Expect Garcia to get it done, though it may well go to a decider.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
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Jessica Pegula vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Head-to-head: first meeting
Jessica Pegula and Beatruz Haddad Maia come into this quarterfinal bout off the heels of impressive second-round victories. Pegula took down Jelena Ostapenko in a hard-fought three sets whilst Haddad Maia bested sixth seed Daria Kasatkina 6-3 7-6, marking a welcome return to form. Pegula and Haddad Maia hold a combined record of 18-5 this year and are two of the more in-form players on tour. Give the slight edge to the American in this match as I favor her ability to move her opponent around the court. Pegula should be able to get on the front foot in most rallies.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
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Iga Swiatek vs Belinda Bencic
Head-to-head: Swiatek 2-1 Bencic
After a disappointing round of 16 loss at the Australian Open, world #1 Iga Swiatek is back and playing with something to prove. She absolutely bullied Danielle Collins around the court in her first match in Doha, besting the American 6-0 6-1 in 54 minutes. She should get more of a challenge in her quarterfinal match against Belinda Bencic.
Bencic holds a 15-2 record this year with titles in Adelaide and Abu Dhabi. That said, one of those two losses came at the United Cup to Swiatek. This should be a very high-quality match with tremendous shot-making. The winner count for both players will be high, but give a slight edge to the current world #1.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
