We are down to four women at the WTA Copa Colsanitas in Bogota, Colombia. Defending champion Tatjana Maria will square off against first-time WTA semifinalist Francesca Jones. While in the other semifinal, Kamilla Rakhimova and Peyton Stearns will aim to reach a first tour-level final. Who do you think will come out on top?
WTA Bogota Semifinal Predictions
Francesca Jones vs Tatjana Maria
Head-to-head: first meeting
Two years ago, Francesca Jones’ run to the main draw of the Australian Open was the focus of attention from the international media and fans. Unfortunately for the Briton, who was born with a rare genetic condition of having three fingers and a thumb, spent the last year and a half on the treatment table with injuries. Jones has defied the odds and has played well above her ranking in Bogota, forging a three-match winning streak that includes victories over Nuria Parrizas-Diaz, Carol Zhao, and last year’s finalist Laura Pigossi. She is in her first WTA semifinal. Jones will be the biggest mover in the new rankings, jumping from world #817 to just inside the world’s top 400.
Tatjana Maria, for her part, has been equally impressive in her title defense. She has cruised to the semifinal without dropping a set and is now on a 10-match win streak in Bogota. Maria’s wealth of experience gives her an edge in this match. Her playing style is not the most ostentatious, but with Bogota having the highest altitude of any WTA tournament, her slice-and-dice game has been extremely effective. A lot of Jones’ good work has not gone unnoticed this week, and it would be some story if she can dethrone the German on Saturday. But she’ll likely fall short in trying to find the antidote to Maria’s slices.
Prediction: Maria in 3
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Kamilla Rakhimova vs Peyton Stearns
Head-to-head: first meeting
Historically, the Copa Colsanitas in Bogota has often offered a window of opportunity for the undercard to main event the championship match. Last year, it was two qualifiers who contested the final, with Tatjana Maria defeating Laura Pigossi. This time, the two unheralded names in the draw will vie to reach Sunday’s final. Kamilla Rakhimova reached this stage with a 6-4 7-5 win over Sara Sorribes Tormo.
Peyton Stearns, meanwhile, upset former Roland Garros semifinalist Tamara Zidansek in three sets. Stearns is the marginal favorite here in spite of her lack of experience at the senior level. She has been on a tear on the ITF circuit, garnering two titles in 2023. Her cameos in Austin (reached a quarterfinal) and Indian Wells (took a set from Andreescu) should give her plenty of reason to believe she is on the doorstep of a breakthrough week in Bogota.
Both players pack a punch, especially on the forehand. The serve, however, has proven to be a major headache for the two players and we will see a myriad of break points in this one. This should be another close affair. Stearns has a lot more control with her shot-making from the baseline and should come through a nip-and-tuck contest.
Prediction: Stearns in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
