Day 5 at the WTA event in Dubai will feature all the quarterfinal matchups, with the top three ranked players in the world in Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula reaching this round, in what is sure to be a day filled with exciting top quality action.
WTA Dubai Quarterfinal Predictions
Iga Swiatek vs Karolina Pliskova
Head-to-head: Swiatek 2-0 Pliskova
Iga Swiatek couldn’t have reacted better to her Australian Open defeat; not only has she been winning, she has been demolishing every single opponent in her path, barely dropping any games in the process. Swiatek is a clear favorite in every match she plays at the moment and this one will be no different. Pliskova might be a former world #1, but she will struggle to put up a real challenge here considering Swiatek’s current level of play.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Editor’s Note: Pliskova withdrew after winning her second-round match, so Swiatek receives a walkover into the semifinals.
Madison Keys vs Coco Gauff
Head-to-head: Keys 1-1 Gauff
Gauff had a lucky break with Ryabakina’s withdrawal, getting a free pass to the quarterfinals instead of what was very likely to be an extremely difficult encounter. Gauff has been rising steadily for a while and at this point in their respective careers she should have a clear edge over Keys, as shown when they faced last year at the US Open, with Gauff winning and dropping only five games in the process.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Jessica Pegula vs Karolina Muchova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Muchova’s current ranking isn’t even close to reflecting her actual level, but Pegula is still a solid favouite here. The World #3 has really struggled t make a real breakthrough at Grand Slam level but she’s very consistent at Tour level and tends to win the matches she’s supposed to. She’s fresh off a final in Doha, which she only lost to Swiatek, and she’ll once again be very tough to beat this week.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Aryna Sabalenka vs Barbora Krejcikova
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 2-0 Krejcikova
Both players are Slam champions, but Krejcikova’s best seems to be behind her while Sabalenka’s is here and now. She’s 13-0 so far in 2023 and is looking like she might even challenge Iga Swiatek’s #1 ranking. A final between the pair is certainly the most likely and exciting outcome here this week.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
