It’s quarterfinal day at the WTA Palermo Ladies Open and that means the margin for error narrows down. We have four finely poised matches on Friday including top seed Daria Kasatkina’s first real test of the tournament when she faces Italy’s last remaining hope in Jasmine Paolini. Who will reach the semifinals?
WTA Palermo Quarterfinal Predictions
Sara Sorribes Tormo vs Clara Burel
Head-to-head: Sorribes Tormo 2-0 Burel
Sara Sorribes Tormo has won their two head-to-head meetings on the European clay most notably at Burel’s home Slam in Paris at the end of May. But there is a caveat, Sorribes Tormo has lost six of her last seven WTA quarterfinals clearly representing that at this stage, it becomes more of a mental barrier for the Spanish baseliner. Sorribes Tromo is the favorite on paper, but Burel has a steady game and has shown a greater commitment to attack this week.
Prediction: Burel in 3
Mayar Sherif vs Camila Osorio
Head-to-head: Sherif 2-1 Osorio/first meeting
Mayar Sherif is well on her way to becoming an Egyptian tennis icon. Last month she surpassed the great Ismael El Shafei, the trailblazer of the North African nation, rising to 31st in the rankings. But an underwhelming grass swing cost her a few spots and has cascaded down to 38th this week.
Sherif has returned to winning touch in Palermo, winning the longest match of the week at three hours and 16 minutes against Bouzas Maneiro and then eased past lucky loser Sofya Lansere to reach the last eight. Osorio, meanwhile, won an energy-sapping second round against 19-year-old Erika Andreeva, the ice-cold sister to young sensation Mirra that finished in the late-night hours on Thursday. It is far from an ideal scenario to take on a fully charged-up Sherif and the third seed should roll into another semifinal.
Prediction: Sherif in 2
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Qinwen Zheng vs Emma Navarro
Head-to-head: first meeting
This should be a tasty encounter as one of the future stars Qinwen Zheng takes on an in-form Emma Navarro. Zheng thumped Sara Errani in her opener 6-0 6-0 to end her dismal run of four straight defeats. But she faced some stiff resistance against French one-hander Diane Parry, managing to get it done in three sets under the lights. She’ll have her hands full against Navarro who has won six of her past seven matches. The American’s touch and radar have been so sure in the opening two rounds, breezing past Eva Vedder and Camila Rosatello in straight sets. But maybe playing a couple of undercards might leave Navarro unprepared for a real step up in quality here. Zheng should nick this.
Prediction: Zheng in 3
Daria Kasatkina vs Jasmine Paolini
Head-to-head: Kasatkina 2-2 Paolini
With a host of top stars taking a breather following a grueling first half of the campaign, Daria Kasatkina is not among them. The top seed in Palermo is determined to end her recent title drought. In the last few seasons, Kasatkina relied principally on her counterpunching skills, but we’ve seen an increased willingness to take on a high topspin forehand on a consistent basis. It’s been a weapon that has carried her to the second week of the last two French Opens. And even against Jasmine Paolini’s dogged defense and athleticism, it should be a very effective shot in dismantling the Italian.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
