After heavy rain on Friday and three retirements in the quarterfinals, only three players remain in contention for the title in Berlin. Coco Gauff will battle Jessica Pegula, while Victoria Azarenka takes on Anna Kalinskaya. Who do you think will make the final?
WTA Berlin Semifinal Predictions
Victoria Azarenka vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-head: Azarenka 1-1 Kalinskaya
Victoria Azarenka was supposed to have a huge advantage in terms of rest time here, not only finishing her quarterfinal yesterday but also getting a retirement from Elena Rybakina after just four games. The Belarusian might not be among the very top anymore, but she remains a formidable opponent capable of big wins. Perhaps at this stage of her career grass is even better suited to her aggressive playstyle as she can’t quite cover the court as well.
But Anna Kalinskaya’s opponent, Aryna Sabalenka, also retired early into their quarterfinal. The Russian might have slowed down since her Australian Open run, but she’s always dangerous on a fast, lower-bouncing court. In fact, she might be able to take time away from Azarenka well enough to put her on the back foot.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
Coco Gauff vs Jessica Pegula
Head-to-head: Pegula 3-1 Gauff
Jessica Pegula was out for almost the entire clay season and only came back in Hertogenbosch last week. She still hasn’t gotten that much playtime but seems to be rounding into her form at least a little bit based on her performances against Donna Vekic and Katerina Siniakova (both very capable grass-courters). Only needing a couple of games against the Czech today should also help her out as she’ll be a bit fresher than Coco Gauff.
Not that much fresher though with Gauff’s opponent, Ons Jabeur, retiring after the first set on Saturday morning. The US Open champion is yet to find her peak grass game, but she remains as solid on the surface as she is on other surfaces. The flat-hitting aggression of Pegula might be especially dangerous to her forehand here though (even if it’s Gauff who won their only grass meeting thus far).
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
