Rain on the fourth day at WTA Nottingham meant two Round of 16 matches were not completed. Ashlyn Kruger’s battle with Fran Jones and Ons Jabeur’s match against Linda Fruhvirtova are the remaining contests to be finished. The winners of those matches will play their quarterfinals later on the same day. We at LWOT will update this article to include those contests when the matches are set. For now, the first two quarterfinal matchups are predicted. Which players do you expect to advance?
Editors note: The final two quarterfinal matches will be edited in when play is set following the conclusion of the Round of 16 on Friday morning.
WTA Nottingham Quarterfinal Predictions
Diane Parry vs Kimberly Birrell
Head-to-head: First meeting
Birrell, who is currently ranked outside the Top 100, got a great win against Lucrezia Stefanini in the previous round. Her Italian opponent knocked out the big-hitting Zhu Lin in her opening match in Nottingham. The Australian will try to target Parry’s one-handed backhand as much as she can in this matchup. However, Parry has a game that is a great fit for grass. She possesses a great serve, a formidable forehand, and strong net skills, and her slice backhand is much less of a liability on grass. The Frenchwoman also played excellently in the opening two rounds. Her overall game is likely to be too much for Birrell.
Prediction: Parry in 2
Katie Boulter vs Magdalena Frech
Head-to-head: Boulter 1-1 Frech
The defending champion Boulter has not reached her best level yet on her favourite surface. But she still won her last match against Rebecca Marino comfortably. Frech is a solid competitor, who is adept at getting many balls back into play. Nonetheless, Boulter should have enough to reach the semifinals. The Briton struggles most on grass against players who can take time away from her. Her Polish opponent is a fighter but she does not have the ability to match Boulter’s power. That is likely to make the difference in this matchup.
Prediction: Boulter in 2
Emma Raducanu vs Francesca Jones
Head-to-head: First meeting
Raducanu’s decision not to play at the French Open and take extra time to prepare for the grass-court season has paid off so far. She was excellent in her opening two matches in Nottingham, winning both in two sets. Jones had to work much harder to win a three-set battle against Ashlyn Krueger in the last round. Raducanu will be made to work hard by Jones, who plays with a lot of spin and makes the points physical. But expect her clean hitting to have enough to beat her compatriot.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
Ons Jabeur vs Karolina Pliskova
Head-to-head: Pliskova 2-1 Jabeur
After a very difficult start to the season, Jabeur is looking very comfortable on her favourite surface. Although Pliskova has a strong record on grass, the Tunisian is not a great matchup for her on it. Jabeur’s slices and drop shots will work very well against her fellow Wimbledon runner-up if she executes them well. Pliskova needs to serve very well to give herself a realistic chance of reaching the semifinal in Nottingham.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports
