The quarterfinal stages of Nur-Sultan see an even spread of seeds and non-seeded players. The top and second seed have succeeded in reaching the last eight but it demonstrates the even nature of women’s tennis at this level that four of the remaining six have defeated seeds to get here. But who will make it into the semifinals?
WTA Astana Quarterfinal Predictions
Jaqueline Cristian vs Aleksandra Krunic
Head-to-head: Krunic 1-0 Cristian
This is a very tough match to call. Both had excellent wins in the previous round and Aleksandra Krunic has now won four here as she came through qualifying. Jaqueline Cristian, perhaps surprisingly, has a much better record on indoor hard than any other surface. However, it may not sure it will be enough against Krunic. The Serbian won their previous meeting earlier this year (albeit on clay) and her victory over the talented Kaja Juvan last round edges me in her direction.
Prediction: Krunic in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Anastasia Potapova vs Rebecca Peterson
Head-to-head: Peterson 1-0 Potapova
Anastasia Potapova is a really exciting young player and the early signs suggest that she has a great game for indoor hard tennis. She probably needs the reliability of the conditions to play her best and her record on the main tour is a winning one under the roof. Rebecca Peterson is more experienced and has hit a higher level than the Russian. Indeed, it was only late August that she was playing a main tour semifinal against Elina Svitolina, but since then she has suffered some damaging losses. Potapova could impose her game here and whilst the pressure may come she should have the groundstrokes to stretch Peterson into the corners and take the victory.
Prediction: Potapova in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Yulia Putintseva vs Anastasia Gasanova
Head-to-head: first meeting
As the top seed, Yulia Putintseva would have expected to get at least this far at the WTA Astana Open, but she had to see off a tricky opponent in the tall Vera Lapko in the last round, which she did in straight sets. Anastasia Gasanova, meanwhile, has done really well to reach this stage and, with her ranking outside the world’s top 150, it would be an excellent achievement indeed if she can beat the Kazakh in her own capital city. That national pride and support would likely carry Putintseva further than just this quarterfinal anyway, but regardless she is the better player in this particular match-up.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Varvara Gracheva vs Alison Van Uytvanck
Head-to-head: first meeting
It would be fair to say that both players need this title this week. Both have had poor 2021 seasons in terms of the number of wins, but at this tournament, against a weaker standard of player than usual, shows how talented both actually are. The match will probably be on the racket of the Russian. She is capable of great winners but tends to be streaky with it. Varvara Gracheva can win the match herself but she can also lose it herself. The Russian isn’t the greatest breaker of serve either which plays into Alison Van Uytvanck’s serve-oriented game. That style may suit the Belgian.
Prediction: Van Uytvanck in 3
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
