We are now down to the final eight at the WTA 250 in Budapest after half a week of exhilarating tennis. The question then becomes: who will make it to the semifinals? As always at Last Word on Tennis we will give you our say on who that will be.
WTA Budapest Day 5 Predictions
Rebecca Šramková vs Eva Lys
Head-to-Head: First Meeting
A first clash between those two will prove to be an intriguing battle. Neither opponent will give many cheap points away and expect a closely fought battle. Šramková was so impressive against Wang, particularly on return she was able to generate a great amount of depth. However, Eva Lys has been on court for far less time and will be fresher heading into this one. That will help her outlast the Slovak in a tight contest.
Prediction: Lys in 3
Elina Avanesyan vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlová
Head-to-Head: 0-1
Avanesyan did well to turn the tide in her previous round. She was able to increase her consistency on the forehand wing. However up against Schmiedlová you can’t help but feel she will need to improve her serving. There simply isn’t enough pop behind those serves and it puts her too easily on the back foot. Her opponent will be sky-high in confidence after a really intelligent performance against Sara Sorribes Tormo. She will carry that confidence and win rather comfortably.
Prediction: Schmiedlová in 2
Suzan Lamens vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Head-to-Head: First Meeting
Lamens has been in excellent form and arguably the best player so far in Budapest, losing just nine games over two matches. The amount of depth and spin she can generate really makes you wonder how she is ranked just #137. Sansovich, though, is an established baseliner who will be able to make things a whole lot trickier than they have been so far in Budapest. Ultimately though, the in-form player will shine.
Prediction: Lamens in 3
Diana Shnaider vs Ella Seidel
Head-to-Head: 1-0
It’s a battle of youth out there. Shnaider has already enjoyed an impressive season with titles in Thailand and Bad Homburg to admire. At Wimbledon, she also defeated Karolina Pliskova and Sloane Stephens. Standing in her way is fellow teenager Ella Seidel who won’t be an easy task herself. Admittedly earlier in her development than her Russian counterpart she still has progress to make in order to deal with the heavy hitting left-hander. Shnaider will extend her lead in the head-to-head battle.
Prediction: Shnaider in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
