After some very exciting round of 16 matches, we’re down to the last eight standing at the WTA Montreal Open. And, we’re in store for some stellar matches in the quarterfinals. Every player will no doubt be desperate to reach the semifinals, particularly with the US Open looming large on the horizon. But who will advance?
WTA Montreal Quarterfinal Predictions
Aryna Sabalenka vs Victoria Azarenka
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 2-1 Azarenka
The ever erratic Aryna Sabalenka is currently showing an impressive blend of power and control. Reducing her unforced errors and has catapulted her to her current career-high ranking of world #3 and seen her finally breakthrough at a Major with a run to the semifinals at Wimbledon. When she’s in this form, she can power past her opponents and paint the lines. Yet she lacks the spin and variety which Victoria Azarenka wields so effectively.
The two-time Major champion will be looking to drive her compatriot to frustration with her counterpunching style. By extending rallies and changing the shape and pace, Azarenka will hope to bait Sabalenka into going for too much. And, once the unforced errors start coming, it may well be hard for Sabalenka to regroup.
Sabalenka and Azarenka are quite familiar with each other’s games. They paired up for doubles and have faced off enough to know. It probably won’t be a particularly strategic bout, instead expect this to come down to execution and patience. This may go the distance, but the elder of the two Belarusians should be able to use her experience and court-craft to move on to the semifinals.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
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Karolina Pliskova vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Head-to-head: Pliskova 1-0 Sorribes Tormo
This looks like a difficult matchup for Karolina Pliskova. While she’s certain to get some free points off her huge serve – and her big forehand is a weapon to be reckoned with too – she will have to deal with Sara Sorribes Tormo getting a lot of balls back into play. And the Spaniard does not only cover the court well. She can also send the ball back with real precision.
She can’t match the power of Pliskova and giving the Czech lots of mid-court balls will only end in one result. But Sorribes Tormo excels at making life difficult for opponents and she will be hoping to keep Pliskova on the move. That ability to make things awkward may not be enough to her the match, but it should definitely be enough for Sorribes Tormo to grab a set.
Prediction: Pliskova in 3
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Camila Giorgi vs Coco Gauff
Head-to-head: Gauff 1-0 Giorgi
Both Camila Giorgi and Coco Gauff are in good form. Indeed, Giorgi who is hardly one of the tour’s most consistent performers, has been just that so far at the WTA Montreal Open. Crucially, she has been able to rein in her unforced error count and when Giorgi does that she tends to win thanks to her easy power and ability to open up the court. Already this week, she has accounted for Elise Mertens, Nadia Podoroska and Petra Kvitova, all without dropping a set.
But Gauff may be able to find success in directing shots to the Giorgi forehand. Although that is the shot Giorgi can do most damage with it, it will also break down long before her more consistent backhand. Gauff will also need to continue serving well, but provided she has been able to maintain her sharpness despite playing just five games over the last two rounds, she should have enough to move on to the semifinals.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
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Ons Jabeur vs Jessica Pegula
Head-to-head: Pegula 1-0 Jabeur
Jessica Pegula has reached the quarterfinals – as much through grit as through strategy. She has an uncanny ability to out-think her opponents. Using that knowledge, she executes well crafted points. But she also never knows when she is beaten. That served her in good stead in the round of 16 when, after a three-set match that lasted into the early morning hours, Pegula was able to end San Jose champion Danielle Collins’ winning streak.
Ons Jabeur, however, will present a much different challenge. The Tunisian has been in fabulous form. So far at the WTA Montreal Open, (after a comfortable first-round win) she has fought her way through Daria Kasatkina and Bianca Andreescu in tough three-setters. She is at her best on the front foot, setting up points to leave her opponents far out of position. She can also hit lines with pin-point precision. So whilst Pegula’s movement is good, it may not be enough to chase down Jabeur’s powerful shots.
Jabeur’s game is slightly unbalanced, however. She can do far more damage with her forehand than her backhand, unquestionably weaker and less-predictable wing. Pegula would do well to find the Tunisian’s backhand as often as she can as a result. If the American can do that, and get her first serve in play regularly, expect her to be the player moving on to the semifinals.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
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