The China Open is the last WTA 1000 event of 2023, and the quarterfinal line-up has truly delivered. Among other notable storylines, we’ve also got rematches for the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and Washington finals of this season. Who do you think will make the final four at WTA Beijing?
WTA Beijing Quarterfinal Predictions
Iga Swiatek vs Caroline Garcia
Head-to-head: Swiatek 2-1
Caroline Garcia famously took down Iga Swiatek at the Pole’s home event in Warsaw last year, rushing the net constantly and taking her returns extremely early. The 4-time Grand Slam champion then returned the favor with a win at the WTA Finals, where she used her amazing defensive movement to make the Frenchwoman play one more ball. Swiatek has had some issues executing that sort of a style recently, but she’s been using her repertoire much smarter in Beijing than even in Tokyo last week.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Jelena Ostapenko vs Liudmila Samsonova
Head-to-head: Ostapenko 2-1
Liudmila Samsonova lost just two games to Jelena Ostapenko at Madrid this year. That’s how it works with the Latvian, you never really know if she’ll have an awesome day at the office or just an absolutely abysmal one. Generally speaking, players like Samsonova do tend to pose her issues though. They have the serve advantage and hit with enough pace not to allow Ostapenko to dictate as freely as she usually can.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
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Maria Sakkari vs Coco Gauff
Head-to-head: Sakkari 4-2
Maria Sakkari leads the head-to-head 4-2, but it was Coco Gauff who won their only 2023 clash so far in Washington. The American has only lost once since (to Jessica Pegula in the Montreal quarterfinals) and finds herself on a 15-match win streak. It seems like she can dismantle whatever is thrown at her right now. Sakkari has gotten a huge confidence boost from her Guadalajara title but against other elite players, she often can’t produce her best level.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 4-1
It’s awesome to have this rematch of two previous big finals from earlier this year – Aryna Sabalenka won at the Australian Open, Elena Rybakina beat her for the first time in Indian Wells. The 4-1 deficit might look pretty damning for the Kazakh, but that’s not really the case, with all her losses coming in deciding sets. It should be a great battle, but over the course of the season, it’s definitely Sabalenka who has been maintaining a steadier level.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai – USA TODAY Sports
