The WTA Guadalajara Open provides an exciting atmosphere from the fans and is situated at a fairly high altitude. This makes things very interesting at the final 1000 of the year. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for all four quarterfinals, but who will secure their spot in Friday’s semifinals?
WTA Guadalajara Quarterfinal Predictions
Caroline Dolehide vs Martina Trevisan
Head-to-head: Dolehide 1-0 Trevisan
At high altitude, Ons Jabeur really should have defeated Martina Trevisan. The Tunisian’s game was tailor made for slicing and dicing her way through the volatile conditions whilst Trevisan’s is built for high-margin heavy conditions. Trevisan did well to make Jabeur play her worst tennis when this year’s Wimbledon finalist served for the match but it’s difficult to see the Italian getting back-to-back overheats from her opponent. Caroline Dolehide has overpowered fellow big hitters already. Though Trevisan is a different kettle of fish, this feels like a great opportunity for her to decide her own destiny.
Prediction: Dolehide in 3
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Victoria Azarenka vs Caroline Garcia
Head-to-head: Garcia 3-1 Azarenka
Will the big serves of Caroline Garcia make a dent against the phenomenal returning of Victoria Azarenka? The Frenchwoman hasn’t been tested on her way to the quarterfinals as much as she will be against the two-time Australian Open champion so it’s easy to forget how out of form she’s been recently.
Azarenka won’t struggle enough with the pace of Garcia’s serves for free points to go begging. She’ll also likely be safe on her own delivery by virtue of Garcia’s bold returning position in tricky conditions.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Maria Sakkari vs Emiliana Arango
Head-to-head: first meeting
Don’t look now but Maria Sakkari might have a real shot at a second career title here in Guadalajara. Ironically given her forehand is prone to being loose under pressure, she’s played some of her most solid tennis here in volatile conditions. With the pressure of having to construct points gone, Sakkari actually seems to thrive playing quick-fire aggressive tennis. It seems unlikely nerves kick in at this stage of the tournament so we’re backing last year’s finalist to take out Emiliana Arango without too much fuss.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Leylah Fernandez vs Sofia Kenin
Head-to-head: Kenin 1-0 Fernandez
Is Sofia Kenin back to her best? Maybe. That’s Veronika Kudermetova, Jelena Ostapenko, Anastasia Potapova, Emma Navarro, Anhelina Kalinina, Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Sloane Stephens and Liudmila Samsonova taken out this year now. The list keeps growing and last week’s tournament in San Diego was the first sign this year she could put those wins together consecutively.
Leylah Fernandez at altitude is a sight to behold, however. Her lefty swings and feel on the ball are a nightmare to deal with. Barring a strangely poor record in Madrid (this will improve!), she’s 16-3 in Guadalajara and Monterrey (a medium to high altitude event) combined. Kenin will be truly up against it here.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Main photo credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
