Quarterfinal action at the WTA Merida Open Akron features familiar names. Italy’s Camila Giorgi will play second seed Sloane Stephens for the first time since 2019 in the pick of Friday’s matches. Top seed Magda will look to reach her second semifinal of the season following her breakthrough run at last month’s Australian Open. Who do you think will advance into the semifinal?
WTA Merida Quarterfinal Predictions
Magda Linette vs Rebecca Peterson
Head-to-head: Peterson 2-1 Linette
It is starting to feel like this might be Linette’s tournament. She dodged a red-hot Camila Osorio in her opening match here saving two match points in the process. And her second round was a banana peel until her opponent Panna Udvardy was forced to retire with injury while trailing 6-0 2-5.
Peterson, meanwhile, shocked Alycia Parks, whose serve was almost nonexistent in their encounter. The Swede is a solid counterpuncher and is working on rejoining the top 100 this year. It’s not been tidy from the top seed, but her mental fortitude is a major asset in her game right now. A year ago, she would be having mental hiccups in these types of matches, but not anymore. Expect the Pole to problem-solve her way into the semifinal.
Prediction: Linette in 3
Caty McNally vs Kimberly Birrell
Head-to-head: McNally 1-0 Birrell
A month ago this was not the kind of matchup you expected to supply us with entertainment. But both players have been in great form this month. Birrell in particular cannot stop winning. She stormed to win the W60 Orlando ITF less than two weeks ago and has only lost once in her last 12 matches. McNally has accounted for two solid wins in Merida, beating the in-form Zhu Lin and countrywoman Katie Volynets. On the basis of her last performance, McNally should be the firm favorite although Birrell’s near-impeccable form means she cannot be counted out.
Prediction: McNally in 3
Elisabetta Cocciaretto vs Katerina Siniakova
Head-to-head: Cocciaretto 1-0 Siniakova
Cocciaretto is quickly emerging as the WTA’s most improved player and if she keeps making deep runs at Tour level consistently, she will certainly be a nominee for that accolade at the end of the season. Siniakova is an experienced player and possesses the court craft to make opponents feel helpless on the court. There are not many players playing Siniakova’s brand of tennis, so this will be a totally different matchup for the young Italian. Cocciaretto needs to get a look in on the Siniakova first serve which has been a menace in two matches here. If she succeeds in returning with interest, she will win a ton of baseline duels.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 3
Sloane Stephens vs Camila Giorgi
Head-to-head: Giorgi 3-2 Stephens
Giorgi has won three of four hard-court matches she has played against Stephens although the pair haven’t clashed since 2019. Both players might be past their prime, but this match should still be high in quality and physical intensity. Stephens has shown a bit of her old magic in Merida beating Varvara Gracheva from a set down (also came back from 0-3 in the third set). Giorgi has played opponents not known for their hard-court prowess in Mayar Sherif and Parrizas-Diaz. Could a step up in quality catch the Italian off guard? This is a tough one to predict from a winner’s perspective. I will side with the American purely on her excellent record on Mexican soil.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
