Five Czech players will headline quarterfinals day at the WTA Prague Open, and at least two will reach the semifinals, ensuring a strong home interest heading into the weekend. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate on what should be an entertaining day of tennis. But who will book their spot in the last four?
WTA Prague Quarterfinal Predictions
Lanlana Tararudee vs Daria Snigur
Head-to-head: first meeting
Daria Snigur outplayed Ayla Aksu to win in straight sets and book her spot in the WTA Prague quarterfinals. This is now her third WTA quarterfinal of the season. And the Ukrainian’s top 50 debut is very much in her hands. One more win will secure it. Lanlana Tarudee, meanwhole, knocked out Nikola Bartunkova in a dramatic round of 16 match.
She was 1-5 down in the third set and had to save four match points to prevail after three hours and 14 minutes. Bartunkova will no doubt be ruing a misseed opportunity, but it was a superb effort from Tarudee who deserves real credit for hanging tough. From a physical standpoint, this match should favour Snigur, who will have the fresher legs. The Ukrainian’s unerring power should also be decisive.
Prediction: Snigur in 2
Lilli Tagger vs Sara Bejlek
Head-to-head: Bejlek 1-0 Tagger
For the second year in a row, Sara Bejlek has reached the last eight at WTA Prague and has looked sharp. She recorded an emphatic 6-1 6-1 victory against Maria Timofeeva. Lilli Tagger, for her part, has not dropped a set on her way to the quarterfinals, coming off a 6-4 6-4 win in her last match against Mai Hontama. It’s their second meeting in as many weeks and that will be a concern for Tagger. Bejlek was a class above Tagger in Athens. Unless the young Austrian can raise her first-serve numbers, then I don’t expect a quick turnaround in Prague.
Prediction: Bejlek in 2
Marie Bouzkova vs Tereza Valentova
Head-to-head: Bouzkova 2-0 Valentova
This is an interesting all-Czech clash at the WTA Prague Open with both no doubt desperate to advance on home turf. Marie Bouzkova is the top seed, but Tereza Valentova has emerged as one of the breakout stars in the last 18 months. Valentova has a score to settle after losing narrowly to Bouzkova when they played in this tournament a year ago. Even though Valentova’s game has evolved considerably, she still has ground to make up to Bouzkova, as evident in their last match in Nottingham this season. The more consistent (and experienced) Bouzkova should have enough to prevail again at the WTA Prague Open.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Barbora Krejcikova vs Dominika Salkova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova overpowered compatriot Lucie Havlickova in the last round to progress. After a tight opening set that saw only one break of serve, it was Krejcikova who dominated the second set to win 6-4 6-2. Salkova has reached the quarterfinals at the Prague Open as a qualifier.
She’s coming off a 6-1 6-1 demolition of Oceane Dodin. This should be a tough test for Krejcikova. Salkova is playing some inspired tennis this week. That said, Krejcikova is the most experienced player left in the draw and for good reason. If she puts enough returns into play, she looks well equipped to diffuse Salkova’s first-strike tennis.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Main photo credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports
