There are four outstanding WTA Doha quarterfinal matches scheduled for Thursday. That includes four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek’s battle against Elena Rybakina. American No. 2 Jessica Pegula is among the other players in action. As always, we at LWOT predict all the matches, but which players do you expect to reach the semifinals?
WTA Doha Quarterfinal Predictions
Jessica Pegula vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-head: Pegula 1-1 Rybakina
Alexandrova has been in superb form so far in Doha, most notably beating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. She also won her last meeting with Pegula at the 2024 Miami Open. However, I still like Pegula’s chances of progressing to the semifinals. The American was not at her best in Miami last year, and she was still rusty after injury issues. Unlike Sabalenka, who always wants to attack, Pegula is comfortable playing within herself and keeping the ball deep, not allowing Alexandrova to play her attacking game.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Ons Jabeur vs Jelena Ostapenko
Head-to-head: Jabeur 4-2 Ostapenko
Ostapenko’s hammering of last year’s Wimbledon runner-up, Jasmine Paolini, was the best performance at this year’s tournament in Qatar. Despite the Latvian’s well-known inconsistency, going against her is risky after that display, but Jabeur is a tricky matchup for her. The three-time Grand Slam runner-up’s variety disrupts Ostapenko’s desire to hit every ball flat and hard. She is backed to beat the 2017 French Open winner in a tight match.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Amanda Anisimova vs Marta Kostyuk
Head-to-head: Kostyuk 2-0 Anisimova
This is a fascinating matchup between two players who have been outstanding so far. Kostyuk beat Coco Gauff in her run, Anisimova overcame Paula Badosa, and neither woman has dropped a set. Kostyuk’s athleticism and defense make her a tough matchup for the American, as shown by the head-to-head. However, Anisimova’s performance was incredible in her 6-3, 6-0 win against Leylah Fernandez, who plays similarly to Kostyuk, in the last round. If Anisimova stays near that level, even Kostyuk will find it challenging to stop her.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Elena Rybakina
Head-to-head: Rybakina 4-3 Swiatek
Aside from Jelena Ostapenko (0-4 head-to-head), Rybakina has been Swiatek’s most difficult matchup in the last few years, but Swiatek beat her in last year’s final in Doha. The slow hardcourt in Doha suits the Pole slightly more in this matchup before considering Swiatek is the three-time defending champion. Rybakina’s level has been quite good during the tournament so far, but not high enough to convince me she will defeat the five-time Grand Slam winner.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
