Only sixteen players remain in contention for the 2023 WTA Guadalajara Open Akron title. Second seed Maria Sakkari has an excellent record against Camila Giorgi, but she’ll know it’s best not to underestimate the Italian. Veronika Kuderemetova and Victoria Azarenka will battle in another thrilling encounter. We also look at the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article. Who do you think will prevail?
WTA Guadalajara Day 4 Predictions
Caroline Garcia vs Hailey Baptiste
Head-to-head: Baptiste 1-0
You might be surprised to learn that Hailey Baptiste leads the head-to-head over Caroline Garcia and in fact, it was a very similar case with Karolina Pliskova earlier this week. The American actually confirmed that one too with a hard-fought win. Garcia could really use a run right now with how much she’s still defending towards the end of the season. She’s not consistent, but her weaponry at altitude does give her the advantage in this matchup.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Taylor Townsend vs Emiliana Arango
Head-to-head: First meeting
Taylor Townsend is playing a bit more singles this year and looking very competitive in tour-level events. These conditions in Guadalajara should be really good for her serve and net-oriented style, too. Emiliana Arango managed to pull off two upsets so far with her opponents struggling to control their strokes at altitude. Townsend can always rely on her serve and should be able to avoid a performance like that here.
Prediction: Townsend in 2
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Veronika Kudermetova vs Victoria Azarenka
Head-to-head: Kudermetova 2-0
Veronika Kudermetova leads the head-to-head 2-0, but their most recent match in Adelaide this year was very tight. The Russian’s serve and aggressive groundstrokes looked very dangerous in her opening match, but she’s facing one of the strongest Mexico performers of the last few years. Victoria Azarenka reached the semifinals at this event last year and with how unique these conditions are, that’s always a very good sign.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Maria Sakkari vs Camila Giorgi
Head-to-head: Sakkari 3-0
Maria Sakkari scored three very dominant wins over Camila Giorgi a few years ago, but it would be unwise to write off the Italian. After all, she has an incredibly high ceiling and is a WTA 1000 champion. Seems like Sakkari is really at ease with the conditions in Guadalajara though. She finished runner-up last year and definitely looks like one of the main title contenders here again.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
