We’re finally down to the final four in Bad Homburg and it’s probably not the lineup many would have predicted. However, the final four have shown strong grass instincts all week and will all now have real sights on winning the whole thing. The lack of any standout player in terms of pedigree on this particular surface further adds to the intrigue. Now, as always, we must now attempt to predict who we think our finalists will be here, with a chance to win the title looming large. Let’s commence!
WTA Bad Homburg Semifinal Predictions
Karolina Muchova vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse
Head-to-head: Muchova 1-0
Based on their qualities and rankings, you would normally expect Muchova to take total control of this match up. However, as is too often the case, she finds herself floundering in the final stages of competitions, especially when expectations are at the highest. Against Ruse, she will have to be steady after the Romanian came through qualifying and while being the less favoured player has won all her main draw matches in straight sets. Not unlike Muchova, the Romanian is also a versatile player, who likes to employ variety to disrupt opponents.
Their only ever meeting was a long time ago that it is unlikely to factor too much in this recent match-up. Muchova showed impressive resolve to fight back from a set down against Clara Tauson. She also won a Masters 1000 event early this year suggesting she might have overcome some of her tournament-end jitters. On a surface that should give her even more advantages I’m going to hold out that she makes the final here in what should be a competitive match decided by key moments.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Xinyu Wang vs Naomi Osaka
Head-to-head: first meeting
Interesting that this is the first meeting between two players who have long seemed like staples on the WTA tour. Both players arguably bring their best games on hard courts, but this promises to be a good, engaging encounter. Wang has endured quite an unremarkable season so far, but has found some momentum this week. She benefited from a withdrawal by Elina Svitolina in her quarterfinal match in what one suspects would have been her first real test.
In Naomi Osaka, that test is sure to come as the Japanese has been having a blistering week, blowing away all competition in dominant style. She is yet to lose a single set. However, one could say that in Wang, she also faces her first true challenge.
Both players employ a similar style of aggressive baseline play, solid serves, and heavy groundstrokes, making this match-up all the more interesting as they battle for supremacy. At their best, Osaka still has the higher ceiling, and she’s been playing really well in recent weeks. Furthermore, her opponent, as pointed out, hasn’t been in the best of form, and the feeling is that this match might have come too early for her. I see Wang making this fairly competitive but it’s hard to see anything other than an Osaka win. Such has been her level and focus. She’s probably the favorite for the whole thing now, anyway.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
