There were several WTA Cincinnati shocks on Wednesday. 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, and 2017 French Open titlist Jelena Ostapenko were among the players to be eliminated. That presents an opportunity to the other women in the draw, including French Open champion Iga Swiatek. We at LWOT predict all the WTA Cincinnati round of 16 action here and in a separate article, including Mirra Andreeva vs Jasmine Paolini. Two round of 16 matches are still to be confirmed due to rain on Thursday. We will edit both articles to include those matches when they are confirmed on Friday.
WTA Cincinnati Day 4 Predictions
Liudmila Samsonova vs Elina Avanesyan
Head-to-head: Samsonova 1-0 Avanesyan
Avanesyan, who usually plays her best tennis on clay, lost in the qualifying stage in Cincinnati. However, as a lucky loser, she shocked 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu and Ostapenko to reach this stage. Overcoming Samsonova on a fast hardcourt is likely to be even more difficult. Avanesyan is capable of frustrating the Russian with her excellent defensive skills, but Samsonova possesses a powerful serve that her two previous opponents did not have. That will probably make the difference.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Diana Shnaider vs Leylah Fernandez
Head-to-head: First meeting
Fernandez will need to soak up pressure as well as she did against Rybakina in the last round against Shnaider. Although the 2021 US Open runner-up deserves credit for her performance, Rybakina was far below her best. Shnaider is unlikely to play as poorly. There will be many great rallies between these two left-handed players, and it is a tough match to call. Overall, Shnaider is narrowly favored since she has been more consistent than Fernandez this season. The Canadian has thrown in some poor performances after victories in 2024.
Prediction: Shnaider in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Marta Kostyuk
Head-to-head: Swiatek 2-0 Kostyuk
Swiatek made hard work of her opening match against Varvara Gracheva after losing the second set from 2-5 15-40 up and wasting five match points. She eventually prevailed 6-0 6-7 6-2. However, the world No. 1 will be in danger if her level drops as dramatically against Kostyuk, who is enjoying a breakthrough season. Swiatek comfortably defeated the Ukrainian in the BNP Paribas Open semifinal this year on a very slow hardcourt. Kostyuk has a better chance in the quick Cincinnati conditions, where her shots can rush Swiatek. The Pole is still backed to win, but it should be a competitive contest.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
