Adverse weather at the WTA 250 in Merida means four quarterfinals and one round-of-16 match are scheduled for Friday. We at LWOT will add the final quarterfinal match when the round-of-16 clash between Anna Blinkova and Alina Korneeva is completed. Three fascinating quarterfinals, including Polina Kudermetova vs Nina Stojanovic, have already been confirmed.
WTA Merida Quarterfinal Predictions
Ann Li vs Jil Teichmann
Head-to-head: First meeting
Both players have comfortably reached this stage. Li won both her matches in straight sets, including against the seeded Nuria Parrizas Diaz, and Teichman only had to win one match after Ajla Tomljanovic withdrew before the last round. Although Teichman could be slightly fresher, Li’s tennis has been slightly more impressive during the tournament so far, making her the favorite.
Prediction: Li in 2
Renata Zarazua vs Zeynep Sonmez
Head-to-head: First meeting
Sonmez will need to handle a home crowd backing Zarazua in this contest. Despite being a WTA 250 tournament at the end of the season, the attendances have been impressive throughout the tournament, and the atmospheres were especially good in Zarazua’s opening two rounds. She has fed off that energy, which could prove to be the difference. It could be a tight battle that goes down the wire, though.
Prediction: Zarazua in 3
Polina Kudermetova vs Nina Stojanovic
Head-to-head: First meeting
These two have produced the highest-quality tennis during the event so far. Kudermetova’s level has been particularly outstanding, especially the 6-1 6-1 thrashing she handed Nadia Podoroska in the opening round. Stojanovic will test Kudermetova, but the 21-year-old’s powerful hitting will take her into the semifinal if she finds it with the same regularity as in previous matches.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Sara Sorribes Tormo vs Alina Korneeva
Head-to-head: Korneeva 1-0 Sorribes Tormo
Sorribes Tormo’s ranking and achievements are superior to those of 17-year-old Korneeva, who is ranked outside the Top 200. However, Korneeva’s only Grand Slam main draw victory was against the Spaniard at this year’s Australian Open. That will give the teenager some hope, but she has struggled to find consistency since then. Sorribes Tormo’ was also far below her best in their first meeting and is unlikely to be that poor again.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
