Rain is in the forecast, but fans at the National Bank Open should expect spectacular tennis on Friday as third-round action takes place. Eight matches at the WTA 1000 will occur, with this set of predictions featuring two-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka and defending Toronto champion Jessica Pegula. Who will reach the quarterfinals?
WTA Toronto Day 4 Predictions
Emma Navarro vs Marta Kostyuk
Head-to-head: First meeting
An early match on Friday’s order of play, this is one of two matches between seeds in the third round. Kostyuk won her second-round match against Elina Svitolina in an all-Ukrainian showdown, winning in three sets with her grit and aggression from the baseline. Navarro has been on the court less this tournament, getting a bye and defeating Magda Linette 6-2 6-4. The American is a better player on hard courts and should win this match.
Prediction: Navarro in 3
Liudmila Samsonova vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: Samsonova 1-0
This should be an interesting encounter and will feature a clash of styles. Mertens stunned Naomi Osaka in straight sets, using her defense and playing defensive tennis to take out Osaka for the second time in 2024. Meanwhile, defending finalist Samsonova took out qualifier Moyuka Uchijima 6-4 6-2. Samsonova is one of the most powerful ball-strikers on tour, but her unspectacular 19-17 record and having to defend finalist points may put pressure on the sixth seed. She also struggled with an injury last week at the Citi Open. In similar hard court conditions, Samsonova won their only meeting in 2022, but I think Mertens may get the upset here.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Jessica Pegula vs Ashlyn Kreuger
Head-to-head: Pegula 2-0
Pegula enters Friday’s match with pressure on her shoulders as the defending champion, while Kreuger, frankly, has nothing to lose. Kreuger overwhelmed Leylah Fernandez 6-4 6-2 in the second round, taking out the last remaining Canadian in the singles draw. However, Pegula has a consistent game on the hard courts that should break down players like Kreuger, who have less experience on the big stage. The defending champion only lost six games to Kreuger in their past two meetings.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Aryna Sabalenka vs Katie Boulter
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 3-0
Sabalenka looked solid in a 6-2 6-2 second round over Yue Yuan, while Boulter only had to play two games in her second round prior to Beatriz Haddad Maia retiring with injury. Both players are aggressive baseliners, but the World No. 3 is simply more confident and strong off the serve, forehand and backhand. Boulter won more than 75% of first-serve points across the tournament, and she’ll have to consistently serve well to keep in striking distance.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
