It is quarterfinal day in Hamburg as the tour looks to conclude its brief return to clay before shifting its focus to the North American hard-court swing. We have a slate of four matches, with players looking to gain valuable ranking points and build momentum ahead of a crucial part of the season. As always, we here at LWOT will be predicting every match for you, but who do you think will make the semifinals in Hamburg?
WTA Hamburg Day 5 Predictions
Anna Bondar vs Alina Charaeva
Head-to-head: First meeting
This matchup will likely be determined by which player has the more productive day from the baseline. Anna Bondar possesses an aggressive baseline game built around heavy topspin groundstrokes, while Alina Charaeva also looks to attack from the back of the court, combining that with her defensive grit. Both players produce their best tennis on clay and came through tough three-set matches to reach the quarterfinals in Hamburg. I expect another close contest between the two, one that is ultimately won by the more complete player.
Prediction: Bondar in 3
Oleksandra Oliynykova vs Elina Avanesyan
Head-to-head: First meeting
Elina Avanesyan has done well to reach the quarterfinals this week after coming all the way through qualifying. Her level was on full display in her previous match, where she defeated Yulia Putintseva by relying on her defensive grit and baseline consistency. This matchup against Oleksandra Oliynykova will come down to which player can dictate the tempo and patterns of play from the baseline, as Oliynykova will look to make life difficult with her slice and moonball-heavy game. If Avanesyan can consistently find answers to those tactics, she should have her chances. However, I think the Ukrainian is capable of grinding out another victory here and reaching the semifinals.
Prediction: Oliynykova in 3
Tamara Korpatsch vs Anhelina Kalinina
Head-to-head: First meeting
Both of these players produce their best tennis on slower clay courts, with their games built around strong baseline foundations. In front of her home crowd, Tamara Korpatsch has battled through back-to-back three-set matches, using her tactical variety while feeding off the energy from the stands. Anhelina Kalinina, on the other hand, will rely on her more aggressive baseline game as she looks to take the racket out of the German’s hands. Ultimately, this matchup comes down to whether Korpatsch can frustrate Kalinina into making more errors than winners. While that is certainly possible, I think Kalinina has just enough firepower on this surface to reach the semifinals in Hamburg.
Prediction: Kalinina in 3
Mayar Sherif vs Paula Badosa
Head-to-head: Sherif 2-1 Badosa
The key factor heading into this match is whether Paula Badosa can physically outlast a grinding battle. Just a couple of days ago, when these two met in the WTA Iasi final, Mayar Sherif’s tenacity and defensive grit from the baseline proved too much for the Spaniard, who has been hampered by injuries in recent years. If her fitness holds up, Badosa has the more reliable groundstrokes and superior ball quality in this matchup, despite Sherif being a clay-court specialist who relies on heavy topspin on slower surfaces. The level Badosa has shown so far this week, not dropping a set in her opening two matches, suggests she is regaining her fitness. If she can physically withstand the challenge, I expect her to come through.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Main Image Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
