The semifinals at set at the WTA Birmingham Classic. All four players still in contention will no doubt be desperate to maintain their momentum ahead of Wimbledon, which is looming large on the horizon, but who will book their spot in the final in England’s second city?
WTA Birmingham Semifinal Predictions
Barbora Krejcikova vs Zhu Lin
Head-to-head: first meeting
Despite her status as a Grand Slam champion and a career-high ranking of World No. 2, Barbora Krejcikova hasn’t actually played that much grass-court tennis (in singles). There’s no reason why she wouldn’t have a chance at being successful on the surface though and she’s proving it this week already. From her big serve and ability to take time away to all-court tactics, she might have the complete package to be a dark horse at Wimbledon.
Zhu Lin stopped last week’s Nottingham champion, Katie Boulter, in the first round and kept going from there. The Chinese showed at the Australian Open this year that she’s capable of succeeding in quicker conditions that favour her flat-hitting style of play. Krejcikova will have to keep her composure to prevail, but Zhu has not yet faced an opponent of the Czech’s quality so far in Birmingham. Krejcikova’s variety should give her enough to reach the final.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
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Jelena Ostapenko vs Anastasia Potapova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Jelena Ostapenko pulled off a comeback for the ages to rally from a 4-6 0-4 deficit against Magdalena Frech. But the Latvian’s fortunes can swing so wildly, both over the course of a single match and an entire season, that is hardly a surprise when she does pull off that sort of comeback. It was also in some respects a reflection of the matchup. Frech had been benefitting from Ostapenko’s wayward hitting, but when the former-French Open champion found her range, Frech was always likely to struggle. But next up for Ostapenko is a very different sort of opponent in Anastasia Potapova.
The Russian did not have much experience of grass-court tennis prior to this year and just like Ostapenko, she hasn’t exactly been steady this week at the WTA Birmingham Classic. Her turn to produce a comeback came in the second round against Caty McNally as she took down the American from 2-5 down in the third. Game-wise, she should be better equipped to handle the 2017 Roland Garros champion than her previous opponents. She’s got both good defensive abilities and also the power to stand up to Ostapenko off the ground.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
