The Bucharest Open quarterfinals produced some very unexpected upsets.
Elena Rybakina executed a straight set victory over #2 seed Viktoria Kuzmova. The Slovakian had to resort to far too many second serves, and Rybakina capitalized. The last Romanian active in this tournament, Patricia Maria Tig, exited Kristyna Pliskova, the #8 seed. Qualifier Martina Di Giuseppe bounced the doubles stand-out Barbora Krejcikova 6-4, 6-4.
The only seed remaining is Germany’s Laura Siegemund. The #6 seed took the straight set win over Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu.
The last four will meet Saturday, continuing their campaign to the Bucharest Open title. Who will square off for a chance to raise their maiden Bucharest Open trophy?
BRD Bucharest Open Semifinal Predictions
Patricia Maria Tig vs Laura Siegemund
Head to head: Tig 0-2 Siegemund
This will be the third time Patricia Maria Tig and Laura Siegemund have met. Maria Tig has yet to chalk up a win over the veteran German. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that Patricia Maria Tig has reached the semifinals. After all, it was Tig who stunned #1 seed Anastasija Sevastova to gain her quarterfinal berth.
Certainly, the Romanian has a great opportunity here. The home crowd will boisterously support their countrywoman. It’s a great story for a qualifier who’s come this far and now bids to be the first qualifier in the tournament’s history to reach the final. The 24-year-old Tig has been out since 2017. First injury, then giving birth to a daughter this past year, the Romanian’s return to tour play is impressive. En route to the semifinal, Tig exited both the #1 seed Anastasija Sevastova and the #8 seed Kristyna Pliskova. If this new mother continues to bring her A game, it will be difficult to stop her march to the title.
Laura Siegemund had a relatively easy day at the office, defeating Romania’s Irina-Camila Begu in straight sets. The German’s form seems to be improving, winning three straight matches in a main draw since 2017 Stuttgart. The Siegemund serve has been a reliable weapon, with 75% first serves in during this tournament. If that continues, Tig will have to take advantage of the rare break point opportunities.
Undoubtedly, Siegemund is the more consistent, more experienced player. Yet, an inspired Tig on Romanian soil can upset another seeded player. It’s really a close call, but the intangibles give the edge to the Romanian.
Prediction: Tig in 3
Martina Di Giuseppe vs Elena Rybakina
Head to head: No history
Martina Di Giuseppe is now into her first-ever WTA level semifinal. Still within her reach, the Italian qualifier could become the Bucharest Open’s first qualifier to reach a final. A remarkable accomplishment for a player few suspected would get this far. In her victory over Barbora Krejcikova, Di Giuseppe got 69% of her first serves in, but won 70%. The Italian converted 50% of her break point opportunities. It was really the exceptional drop shots which left Krejcikova with no answer. A masterful display on the clay from the veteran Italian.
Elena Rybakina has had some good 2019 results, including several quarterfinal main draw runs. The Kazakh should be feeling very confident on the Romanian dirt, after bouncing the #2 seed Viktoria Kuzmova. Her her quarterfinal win, Rybakina converted three of her five break opportunities. A moderate 68% first serve didn’t seem to bother the Kazakh woman. Winning 71% of the point on her second serve put no undue pressure to get her first serves in play. It was a solid performance for the 20-year-old who now finds herself in the semifinals. If she can keep up with the Di Giuseppe variety, Rybakina should find herself in the final.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
