We arrive at the quarterfinal round of the 2022 WTA BNP Paribas Poland Open in Warsaw. Iga Swiatek hasn’t been tested so far, but will now face her toughest opponent yet (and perhaps in the whole event). An in-form Caroline Garcia is not to be underestimated. Who do you think will prevail?
WTA Warsaw Quarterfinal Predictions
Ana Bogdan vs Laura Pigossi
Head-to-head: First meeting
Laura Pigossi managed to turn her lucky loser opening into a fantastic run. The Brazilian defeated Varvara Gracheva and Nadia Podoroska, engaging in a number of phenomenal clay-court rallies in the latter victory. This has been a career-best season for Pigossi and if she plays her very best, she’s capable of taking it to Ana Bogdan. The Romanian remains a heavy favorite though.
Prediction: Bogdan in 3
Jasmine Paolini vs Viktorija Golubic
Head-to-head: Golubic 3-0
Jasmine Paolini would have been entering the quarterfinal stage barely dropping games, had it not been for her struggles to close out Clara Burel from 6-1 5-2. The Italian will have to be more careful against Viktorija Golubic, especially as she lost to her three times in the past. This will be her best chance at beating the 29-year-old. She’s got more consistent weight of shot compared to the Swiss, who’s only about the occasional big blow here and there and generally a bit underpowered. If she puts enough pressure on Golubic, she won’t have to worry about the one-handed backhand down-the-line stunners that the Swiss overcame Kristina Mladenovic with.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Petra Martic vs Kateryna Baindl
Head-to-head: Baindl 1-0
Petra Martic had to play two Poles so far and perhaps it was the impact of the Warsaw crowd, but both Maja Chwalinska and Weronika Falkowska gave her a very tough time. The Croat is famous for her variety and plays a very smart brand of clay-court tennis. She’s coming off a title at Lausanne and has been looking fresher than before in recent months. Even though her match with Chwalinska went quite long into the evening, she should have too much for Kateryna Baindl on Friday.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Caroline Garcia
Head-to-head: Swiatek 1-0
The tournament has been quite easy for Iga Swiatek so far, but her game matches up a little worse with Caroline Garcia than it did with Magdalena Frech or Gabriela Lee. The Frenchwoman will try to have the upper hand in the rallies and ask questions when it comes to the second serve. Garcia has been on fire since Bad Homburg (which she won), owning a 15-3 win/loss record. She might push the Pole kinda close, but Swiatek’s underrated defending and foot speed in general could be the deciding factors.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
