Day seven at WTA Cincinnati features a star-studded line-up and there should be plenty of entertaining tennis for the fans watching in Ohio and around the globe. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, as well as all the action in the men’s draw, but who will secure their spot in the last eight?
WTA Cincinnati Day 7 Predictions
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-head: Alexandrova 6-0 Kakinskaya
While on paper this looks like a close matchup and the two players do have similar levels, their matchup has been completely dominated by Ekaterina Alexandrova. Anna Kalinskaya simply hasn’t found any solutions against her compatriot having lost all six of their previous meetings. Whilst one would imagine that she will find a way to get a win in this matchup at some point given there is no obvious reason that Alexandrova has been so dominant, it is hard to look past such a one-sided head-to-head.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
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Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 1-0 Bouzas Maneiro
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro has been playing well coming into this match, scoring wins over Venus Williams, Leylah Fernandez, and Taylor Townsend – all without dropping a set – the world #1 will likely have too much for her here. Yes, she has been faltering at the late stages of Slams, but Aryna Sabalenka has been having a dominant season otherwise, establishing herself as the player to beat on tour. It takes a very high level to get the better of her and Maneiro is unlikely to be able to pull it off.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Elena Rybakina vs Madison Keys
Head-to-head: Keys 3-2 Rybakina
On paper, this should be the best match of the day and one that is almost impossible to call. They faced off most recently in the last 16 at the Australian Open and Madison Keys won a very tough three setter en route to eventually winning her first Grand Slam; a similarly close match is to be expected here, one that will be decided by who holds their nerve and executes better in the biggest points. On home turf, in conditions she has historically enjoyed, Keys might just have the beating of Elena Rybakina once again.
Prediction: Keys in 3
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Iga Swiatek vs Sorana Cirstea
Head-to-head: Swiatek 4-0 Cirstea
Iga Swiatek made a huge statement with her victory at Wimbledon, showing that she remains a contender for every big title and can be expected to seriously challeng Sabalenka for the #1 ranking. Sorana Cirstea is still going strong at the age of 35 and has enjoyed good week at WTA Cincinnati, but she is very unlikely to produce the kind of level necessary to upset Swiatek here. This should be a straightforward day at the office for the Pole.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
