The quarterfinal round of the WTA Monterrey Open is here! It’s been an exciting week of tennis and we are down to the final eight. The pressure is ramping and up in Monterrey and it will be fascinating to see who moves on and who falls short. Who will be our four semifinalists? Read on to find out!
WTA Monterrey Quarterfinal Predictions
Yafan Wang vs Marie Bouzkova
Head to Head: 1-0 Wang
Yafan Wang is finally gaining a little momentum in her 2020 season. Wang won her second and third matches of the season in Monterrey. She beat Astra Sharma in three sets to reach the quarterfinals. Marie Bouzkova played nearly a flawless match in the second round, comfortably defeating Anna Karolina Schmiedlova. Bouzkova’s defenses and counterpunching ability were at an extremely high level during the match.
Wang leads the head to head 1-0, having won in Acapulco last season in straight sets. However, Bouzkova is playing at a much higher level right now than she was in Acapulco last season. It’s hard to imagine Wang having the rally tolerance to hit through Bouzkova in her current form. Bouzkova will be in the semifinals in Monterrey.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Anastasia Potapova vs Johanna Konta
Head to Head: never played
Anastasia Potapova had a spectacular comeback in the second round, saving three match points and coming back to beat Tamara Zidansek in three sets. Potapova’s fight was admirable and she never gave up. Johanna Konta is finally finding form in 2020. Konta first wins of the season were in Monterrey and she took down Tatjana Maria in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals.
These two have never played before. Konta’s big game should be able to hit through Potapova’s more defensive, counter-punching style. Potapova will be playing defense for much of the match and Konta’s aggressive game will prevail. Konta advances to the Monterrey semifinals.
Prediction: Konta in 2
Arantxa Rus vs Rebecca Peterson
Head to Head: 1-0 Rus
Arantxa Rus had a very impressive straight sets victory over Lauren Davis. Rus befuddled Davis with her spin-heavy, lefty forehand and even bageled the American in the second set. Rebecca Peterson is finally picking up form in 2020 this week. Peterson won her first two matches of the season in Monterrey.
Rus leads the head to head 1-0, but don’t put much stock into it, as the match occurred in 2012. Rus played very well against Peterson, but it’s not clear that she can keep that up against Peterson, who hits the ball a little harder than Davis and won’t be pushed around by the Rus forehand. Expect Peterson to be in the semifinals in Monterrey.
Prediction: Peterson in 2
Leylah Fernandez vs Elina Svitolina
Head to Head: never played
Leylah Fernandez is continuing her good form that started in Acapulco last week, where she made the final. Fernandez took down Sloane Stephens from a set down to reach the quarterfinals. Elina Svitolina did not have too much trouble with Olga Govortsova in her second round match. Svitolina has a good chance of her first title of 2020 in this tournament.
These two have not played before. Fernandez’s lefty forehand is a huge weapon and she made Stephens very uncomfortable with her forehand. However, Svitolina is the best player she has faced recently. Svitolina will get a lot of balls back, take advantage of her opportunities, and really test the rally tolerance of Fernandez. Fernandez has had a great run of form, but Svitolina will be the winner of this match.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
