The quarterfinals are set at the WTA Nottingham Open, and it’s a strong lineup with most players having a shot at the title. Five of the eight players are seeded, including the two-time defending champion, Katie Boulter. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate, but who will advance to the semifinals?
WTA Nottingham Quarterfinal Predictions
Linda Noskova vs Rebecca Sramkova
Head-to-Head: Noskova 1-0 Sramkova
Linda Noskova easily won her second-round match against Francesca Jones, hitting her forehand brilliantly all match. Noskova showed why she is the better player, and she will need to do that again against a tougher opponent in Rebecca Sramkova, who took out the tricky Yulia Putintseva. She made it slightly difficult than required as she had a break in the second set, but got the job done in the third. She has shown great resilience this week and will like her chances if the match gets close against Noskova.
Prediction: Noskova in 3
Katie Boulter vs McCartney Kessler
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Defending champion Katie Boulter survived a scare as she came back from a break down in the third set to beat Sonay Kartal. The quest for the threepeat is still alive for the British player as she makes her fifth quarterfinal at this event. She will face her toughest test of the week against McCartney Kessler, who comfortably won her second-round match. Kessler needed that quick win after a marathon in the first round. Boulter will have to be more clinical if she wants to keep her win streak alive here.
Prediction: Kessler in 3
Clara Tauson vs Magda Linette
Head-to-Head: Tauson 1-0 Linette
This is the only quarterfinal match between two seeded players and should be a close one. Magda Linette got the better of the 17-year-old Mingge Xu in two sets and finally won consecutive matches at the Nottingham Open. The top remaining seed, Clara Tauson, hit 10 aces in a fantastic performance against Anna Blinkova. These two played recently at the French Open, where Tauson won in three sets. I expect a battle again, but Tauson has the advantage if she keeps serving at a high level.
Prediction: Tauson in 3
Leylah Fernandez vs Dayana Yastremska
Head-to-Head: Fernandez 2-0 Yastremska
Leylah Fernandez defeated Cristina Bucsa in straight sets in the second round, but it was a closer match than the scoreline suggests. Fernandez saved 8 of the 9 break points, which helped her to win the match in two sets. This is her second quarterfinal of the year and first on grass. Dayana Yastremska lost her focus in the second set against Antonia Ruzic, but she closed out the match playing some great tennis in the third set. Both these players will have to improve their level from their previous matches to win this match. Fernandez has never lost against Yastremska, but they haven’t played in over two years. I am going with the Ukrainian.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3
Main Photo Credit: Angela Wilhelm USAToday Sports Syndication: Asheville Citizen-Times
