The National Bank Open in Montreal, Canada, has provided patrons with terrific tennis all week. WTA Montreal is down to four semifinalists who will battle it out this weekend for the title and 1000 ranking points. Semifinal Saturday features incredible matchups, including World No. 1 Iga Swiatek taking on American Jessica Pegula. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for both WTA matches as well as the two ATP semifinals in Toronto. But who will advance to the final?
WTA Montreal Semifinal Predictions
Elena Rybakina vs Liudmila Samsonova
Head-to-Head: Rybakina 0-2 Samsonova
Elena Rybakina has played terrific tennis this week to reach her fourth WTA 1000 semifinal of the year. Rybakina squares off against Liudmila Samsonova with a spot in the National Bank Open final on the line. 24-year-old Samsonova is into her first WTA 1000-level semifinal. She has looked imposing this week, taking down top-40 foes Siniakova, Zheng, Sabalenka, and Bencic to reach the final four. Hardcourts are far and away her best surface. She must bring that confidence to this semifinal to get by Rybakina.
Samsonova will come out with a very aggressive style of play. She will look to get on the front foot and push Rybakina around the court. However, that is easier said than done, as Rybakina is one of the more offensive players on tour. This match has three-setter written all over it. Ultimately, I believe Samsonova’s consistency will be the difference in this one.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Jessica Pegula
Head-to-Head: Swiatek 5-2 Pegula
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek takes on World No. 4 Jessica Pegula in what sets up to be a blockbuster semifinal in Montreal. Swiatek owns the 5-2 head-to-head advantage over the American, though they have split their two meetings in 2023. Both women have been terrific on hardcourts this season. Swiatek holds a 24-4 mark, and Pegula is 26-7. Something must give on Saturday.
Swiatek is coming off back-to-back three-set matches. She was pushed by Karolina Muchova and Danielle Collins, two players with very powerful groundstrokes. If Pegula wants to win this match, she must come out with aggression. Her path to victory is to step inside the baseline and attempt to bully Swiatek around the court. She also must have a solid day from the service line. The last thing Pegula wants to do is give Swiatek looks at her second serve. I expect both players to bring their A-game to what should be a high-quality match. Ultimately, I see Swiatek’s consistency and ability to tighten her game during tense moments as the difference.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
