Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina will play her first match since an underwhelming French Open campaign at the Queen’s Club. She faces a challenging opener against the defending champion Tatjana Maria. Emma Raducanu’s battle with Sorana Cirstea, who is enjoying an outstanding farewell season, is among the other matches scheduled.
WTA Queen’s Club Day 4 Predictions
Harriet Dart vs Kamilla Rakhimova
Head-to-head: Dart 1-0 Rakhimova
Dart secured an impressive victory against Liudmila Samsonova in the opening round. By stark contrast, Rakhimova was given a place in the Round of 16 as a lucky loser. Expect many lengthy rallies between two women who do not strike the ball with overwhelming power. Despite losing in the qualifying to the defending champion Tatjana Maria, I feel Rakhimova will take advantage of this opportunity and win.
Prediction: Rakhimova in 3
Emma Raducanu vs Sorana Cirstea
Head-to-head: Raducanu 1-1 Cirstea
This is a fascinating matchup. Cirstea has played outstandingly this season, but Raducanu is very good on grass when she finds her best tennis. The home favorite also has a game suited to disarming power when she finds her best, which helps against Cirstea’s playing style. Raducanu is narrowly favored to triumph in London.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
Katie Boulter vs Jaqueline Cristian
Head-to-head: Boulter 2-1 Cristian
Boulter defeated Cristian a few weeks ago on clay in Rouen. That was quite surprising, since clay is Cristian’s best surface and Boulter’s first. On grass, the Briton starts as a significant favorite. Her greater firepower will be even more challenging for Cristian to handle than it was in their last meeting.
Prediction: Boulter in 2
Elena Rybakina vs Tatjana Maria
Head-to-head: Rybakina 1-1 Maria
Maria overcame Rybakina during her memorable run to the title last year. The veteran’s victories in qualifying mean she is on an eight-match winning streak at the Queen’s Club. Rybakina being upset again by her crafty opponent cannot be ruled out. However, I feel the Kazakhstani’s preparation time for the grass-court swing after an early exit at the French Open will help her to avoid being beaten again by Maria.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
