The round of 16 matches on day 4 of the WTA Montreal Masters were disrupted for long periods due to rain. In the end three of the four quarterfinals were confirmed. Aryna Sabalenka vs Liudmila Samsonova and Petra Kvitova vs Belinda Bencic are the round of 16 matches still to be played, and the winners of those matches play each other in the quarterfinals. We at LWOT will update this article to include that quarterfinal when the round of 16 matches are completed. Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff are two of the players in action in the confirmed quarterfinals. Who do you think will win?
WTA Montreal Quarterfinal Predictions
Coco Gauff vs Jessica Pegula
Head-to-head: Gauff 1-1 Pegula
Gauff was exceptional against Marketa Vondrousova. It was a match I did expect her to win in straight sets, as her game on a hard court is a good match against the champion at Wimbledon. But only losing three games was a great effort. Pegula’s straight sets win against Jasmine Paolini was the only match finished before the first rain delay. With all due respect to her Italian opponent, it was an expected win for a woman who so rarely loses before the quarterfinal stage.
These two are best friends and doubles partners. Gauff did win their only match this year, although that was on grass. It is difficult not to back the younger American right now. Pegula is a great competitor, but regularly struggles to take the next step in the latter stages of tournaments. Gauff’s superior athleticism means the elder American will rely on her excellent hand-eye coordination. But the French Open finalist is striking the ball superbly right now, and should make the semifinals of the WTA Montreal Masters.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Elena Rybakina vs Daria Kasatkina
Head-to-head: Kasatkina 2-1 Rybakina
Both women were in great form in the Round of 16. Rybakina dispatched the often dangerous Sloane Stephens in straight sets, never looking in any great danger despite going down a break in the second set. Kasatkina meanwhile was a straight sets winner against Marie Bouzkova, who had beaten fifth seed Caroline Garcia in the previous round. These two played on the North American hard court of Silicon Valley last year. Kasatkina won that match, with the third set finishing 6-0. It is an awkward matchup for the 2022 Wimbledon champion Rybakina. Kasatkina is possibly the best on the tour at creating wide angles with her forehand, and making her opponent move in the process. Movement is Rybakina’s biggest weakness.
A lot will depend on how many free points Rybakina gets on serve. But I am going to predict an upset here in favour of Kasatkina to reach the semifinals.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 3
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Belinda Bencic vs Liudmila Samsonova
Head-to-head: Samsonova 2-1 Bencic
Both women had superb Round of 16 wins against powerful players. Bencic coming from a set down to beat Petra Kvitová, while Samsonova defeated world #2 Aryna Sabalenka. These two also played an epic final in Abu Dhabi this year, where Bencic saved three match points to lift the title.
Both players like North American conditions. Samsonova to play her powerful game, while Bencic re-directs pace on medium fast hard courts very well. I am leaning in favour of the Swiss here. Bencic is a former champion in Canada, and may just be able to stifle Samsonova enough. That is not predicted with certainty though. This could be tight.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Danielle Collins
Head-to-head: Swiatek 2-1 Collins
This is a truly fascinating matchup. Collins is suddenly playing tennis reminiscent of her very best, with home favourite Leylah Fernandez the latest to be blown away by her big hitting, after Maria Sakkari suffered the same fate. The Pole won another tight match with Karolina Muchova, and Swiatek has responded well since criticism of her before this tournament that was so wrong. Collins will have confidence knowing she easily beat Swiatek in the Australian Open semifinal when playing at her best. But the four-time Grand Slam champion has developed immensely on hard courts since then, evidenced by her US Open title last year.
It is a hard matchup for both on paper. Collins hard hitting is not Swiatek’s preference, as shown by her dominance on clay where she has slightly more time. However the superb movement of Swiatek is the opposite of what the powerful Collins wants. Overall I think Swiatek has improved considerably at re-directing pace, in addition to the rest of her formidable game. It should be just enough for Swiatek to progress to the next stage of the WTA Montreal Masters.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
