Emma Raducanu and Marta Kostyuk meet in one of the most interesting matches on the schedule on Day 4 of the WTA Madrid Open. The former US Open champion won their previous meeting in this tournament in resounding fashion. Will history repeat itself? Who will advance to the next round?
WTA Madrid Day 4 Predictions
Katie Boulter vs Jasmine Paolini
Head-to-head: Paolini 2-1 Boulter
Boulter lost plenty of pints in the past month, and she’s in danger of relinquishing her spot as the British No. 1. But before the tournament, she rebuffed claims of feeling the pressure and delivered a statement win in her opening round by beating Katerina Siniakova 4-6 6-2 6-1. Paolini is yet to reach the same heights of her career-best 2024 season, but is coming off back-to-back semifinal finishes in her last two tournaments. Bopulter will attempt to control this match with her strong baseline play, but Paolini will patiently wait for openings. Recent form suggests the Briton is likely to be the first to blink.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Amanda Anisimova vs Peyton Stearns
Head-to-head: first meeting
Anisimova’s first tournament on European clay will be of interest. Last year, she didn’t win a match before the French Open. So there are a ton of points to rack up and potentially crack the Top 10. She’s set such high standards in the first quarter, which has already yielded a maiden WTA 1000 (Doha). However, Stearns will be no slouch and will look to impose herself with her massive forehand. The two were born just a month and eight days apart. It should be intriguing and tight, but a healthy Anisimova is a consistent force right now.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Qinwen Zheng vs Anastasia Potapova
Head-to-head: Zheng 3-1 Potapova
With the season almost reaching the halfway mark, Zheng is yet to hit double digits on the match win column. There is no reason to press the alarm button. Madrid is one of the few tournaments where she can gain points and lock her Top 10 spot. Potapova will be a serious challenger for the Chinese No. 1. The Russian is a powerful ball striker whose aggression will likely hinder Zheng from dictating the match. If Potapova stays consistent and hits clean, she’ll make Zheng work for the victory.
Prediction: Zheng in 3
Emma Raducanu vs Marta Kostyuk
Head-to-head: Raducanu 1-1 Kostyuk
Three years ago, Raducanu defeated Kostyuk 6-2 6-1 in the second round of the Madrid Open. The fascinating thing is that Kostyuk won by the same score in their first meeting in Cluj-Napoca a few months earlier. This third meeting becomes even more unpredictable. Raducanu is almost invariably on a journey of self-discovery and is currently working with Mark Petchey in the short term. Their partnership started brightly. Raducanu secured a solid 7-6 6-4 win over Suzan Lamens in the first round. Kostyuk will offer a sterner challenge, but if Raducanu continues to break free from a bad spell during the match, she might knock off the Ukrainian.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – Imagn Images
