2022 champion Martina Trevisan might be experiencing some deja vu when she steps out onto the court at the WTA 250 in Rabat on Thursday. That run saw her dispatch Lucia Bronzetti in the semifinals and now she’s facing her countrywoman again at this venue. Can she find a similarly high standard two years later? We also look at the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article.
WTA Rabat Day 4 Predictions
Mayar Sherif vs Maria Carle
Head-to-head: Sherif 1-0
Mayar Sherif usually doesn’t produce much in the other parts of the season, but you can count on her waking up for the clay swing. The Egyptian needs time on that extreme forehand grip and when she has it, she’s demonstrated she can hang with the best in the past. Maria Carle made headlines in Madrid but now we run into the question of repeatability. It’s not exactly going to be a one and done type of run for her, but it’s also probably not a performance that will suddenly skyrocket her to the top of the sport.
Prediction: Sherif in 2
Xiyu Wang vs Peyton Stearns
Head-to-head: First meeting
Peyton Stearns had a horrible time on hard courts at the beginning of this year, but maybe she can find something on clay. After all, one of her big breakthroughs was overpowering Jelena Ostapenko at the French Open last year. If she’s hitting that heavy forehand well enough, it can be devastating. With some shades of it against Aleksandra Krunic and Xiyu Wang looking shaky in her win over Nuria Brancaccio, it’s tempting to believe Stearns could pull it off here and keep up her solid momentum from the past two or three weeks.
Prediction: Stearns in 3
Martina Trevisan vs Lucia Bronzetti
Head-to-head: Trevisan 1-0
Remember when Martina Trevisan won Rabat two years ago and then made the Roland Garros semifinals? Lucia Bronzetti definitely does as she lost to her in the semifinals that year. Trevisan always peaks at this venue and we probably shouldn’t expect anything that different in 2024. She’s also the more varied and talented player in this all-Italian battle, leaving this one pretty much on her racket.
Prediction: Trevisan in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
