It’s Day 6 at WTA Madrid, and defending champion Aryna Sabelenka is on court to continue her quest to retain her title. Three other matches are on the cards, with players meeting for the first time. Who will prevail?
WTA Madrid Day 6 Predictions
Marketa Vondrousova vs Mirra Andreeva
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Mirra Andreeva secured two brilliant comeback wins here in Madrid, which implies an addition of resilience to her game. She is one of the most impressive players the sport has seen in recent years but she’ll have to raise her level even higher to beat a player of Vondrousova’s quality. The Czech player has overcome her challenges this year with some trademark powerful displays, especially on clay. She’ll be too experienced for the Russian teenager.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Danielle Collins vs Jaqueline Cristian
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
It remains to be seen if Danielle Collins still plans to retire this year after a powerful start to the season. The American is arguably the most in-form player on tour, chalking up 23 wins in 31 matches, including 14 on the trot. She’s already won two titles in Charleston and Miami, and this event isn’t far from her reach.
Jaqueline Cristian, too, has registered some solid wins this season and is unbeaten in five. She showed her versatility and powerful groundstrokes in a superb comeback win over Barbora Krejcikova in the previous round.
This looks like an even, potentially exciting match, but it’ll be difficult to overcome the red-hot Collins, who finds a way to blast away anyone in her path.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Aryna Sabalenka vs Robin Montgomery
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Both players had to dig deep to clinch victory in the previous round. Sabalenka’s form after her Australian Open triumph has been doubtful as she’s had to go to a decider in 7 of her most recent 9 matches. The defending champion’s record here in Madrid is interesting – she’s either won the title or not won a match at all. Given that trend, it is only logical to back her against an opponent who hasn’t completed three consecutive wins on tour in over a year.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Caroline Garcia vs Jasmine Paolini
Head–to–Head: Garcia 5 vs 2 Paolini
Jasmine Paolini bageled her way to this round in a match she lost just a single game against her 335th-ranked opponent Victoria Kasintseva. She definitely won’t enjoy such luxury against Caroline Garcia, who has never been defeated on clay and down on their head-to-head. The French woman outclassed Xinyu Wang in straight sets in an assured display.
There is very little to choose between both players, but Garcia looked more solid in the opening round, and she seems to have Paolini’s number.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Main Photo Credit: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
