It was a tough day for seeded players at the WTA Guadalajara Open, with the top seed and French Open semifinalist Nadia Podoroska, as well as sixth seed Danka Kovinic, seventh seed Leylah Fernandez and eighth seed Kaja Juvan all eliminated in straight sets. That has left the competition for the title wide open heading into the last eight and, as always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for all four quarterfinals. But who will secure a spot in the semifinals?
WTA Guadalajara Open Quarterfinal Predictions
Lauren Davis vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Head-to-head: First meeting
Lauren Davis is still a long way from the heights she reached in 2017. But having had the last few years derailed by injuries, a now healthy Davis is starting to regain her form. She has certainly made a marked improvement this week, with the diminutive American having chalked up three first-round losses in the early weeks of 2021.
It looks like the fourth tournament might be the charm, however, with Davis proving a tough proposition at the WTA Guadalajara Open. Crushing the sixth seed Kovinic in the second round will certainly have been a shot in the arm for Davis. For Elisabetta Cocciaretto, meanwhile, it was stellar defence that proved vital in her springing an upset of her own as she showed top seed Podoroska to the exit.
The speedy Italian, who came through the qualifying, saved five out of the seven break points she faced against the Argentine in an impressive 7-5 7-5 win. Unfortunately, she was less than impressive on serve overall. A 58.5% first-serve percentage looks unlikely to hold up against a returner as solid as Davis. Adding to her woes is the rising number of double faults she has been hitting. That should combine to make this quarterfinal Cocciaretto’s last match in Guadalajara this season.
Prediction: Davis in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Eugenie Bouchard vs Catherine McNally
Head-to-head: first meeting
Eugenie Bouchard is another player to have fallen a long way from the lofty heights she once occupied. Indeed, it is hard to believe at times that the Canadian was once ranked world #5. That being said, she has shown glimmers of the sort of form that took her into the world’s top ten so far at the WTA Guadalajara Open.
In an impressive showing against rising star Kaja Juvan, the Canadian won 78% of the points behind her first serve and landed six aces. That suggests that one of Bouchard’s biggest weapons might just be returning. Perhaps her ‘new chapter’ social media post was a more accurate prediction than many originally gave it credit for.
But she will likely have to play something close to her best tennis to get the better of Catherine McNally. The American has looked sharp this week and played very well to get the better of Tamara Zidansek in three sets in the second round. And, perhaps crucially, she has that much more variety than Bouchard, with her skill in the forecourt potentially the difference-maker here.
Prediction: McNally in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Astra Sharma vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Head-to-head: first meeting
In a commanding performance, Astra Sharma dispatched the seventh seed Fernandez. After what has been a lackluster start to 2021, the Australian has found some form in Guadalajara. Demonstrating her defensive skills, as well as her ability to play under pressure, Sharma saved all four break points she faced and won 81.8% of the points when she landed her first serve.
But more impressively still, Sharma was also able to win 61.5% of the points behind her second delivery. One suspects that she will need to replicate that kind of serving performance up against Sara Sorribes Tormo. It is a match-up that the Spaniard should find to her liking, with her variety and quick footwork likely to cause Sharma problems.
She would do well to use her backhand slice to put Sharma in uncomfortable positions on the court, something she has done well so far this week. When she is connecting well with the ball, Sorribes Tormo can quickly gain confidence and that has been the case this week after a protracted first-round battle with Greet Minnen. Expect the fourth seed to come out strong and wrap this one up quickly.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Marie Bouzkova vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova
Head-to-head: Bouzkova 1-0 Schmiedlova
Marie Bouzkova made light work of Mihaela Buzarnescu in the second round at the WTA Guadalajara Open, with the Czech turning in a solid performance to record a 6-3 6-2 win. Every facet of the second seed’s game was spot on and, if this form continues, Bouzkova could well be on her way to her first WTA title. It certainly seems that Bouzkova’s deep run at the Phillip Island Trophy breathed some new life into her game.
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, in contrast, struggled to get the better of home hope Renata Zarazua in a tough contest in which the momentum turned on a dime more than once. That was, in part, due to the Slovakian failing to capitalise on her opportunities, with uncharacteristic lapses in concentration seeing her drop the second set.
In fact, Schmiedlova found herself down an early break in the decider and had Zarazua’s serve not faltered badly, Schmiedlova may well have found herself crashing out of the tournament. She will need to sharpen her focus against Bouzkova, who will surely take advantage of any opportunities the Slovakian allows her. This match might just prove to be one-way traffic.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 2
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
