US Open semifinalist Emma Navarro has a great chance to win her second WTA title in Merida. She is the only seeded player remaining and dominated her opening two matches. However, Elina Avanesyan, a much improved hard court player in the last 12 months, will fight to cause an upset. Daria Saville and Emiliana Arango are set to meet in the other semifinal.
WTA Merida Semifinal Predictions
Daria Saville vs Emiliana Arango
Head-to-head: First meeting
Both women started the tournament outside the Top 100 and had to qualify for the main draw. Their respective runs to this stage have been unexpected, but each player has thrived in the slow conditions in Merida. Because of the court’s speed and both players’ preference for counterpunching, this could be one of the longest matches of the season so far.
Overall, Saville’s greater experience of playing important matches and her slightly better ability to step onto the court when the opportunity presents itself make her a slight favorite. But this could easily go either way, especially if Saville becomes frustrated playing against a style that is even more defensive than her own.
Prediction: Saville in 3
Emma Navarro vs Elina Avanesyan
Head-to-head: Navarro 1-0 Avanesyan
Although Navarro will ensure there is clean hitting in this matchup, this is another contest that has the potential to be lengthy. Avanesyan and Navarro are among the best defensive players in the sport, and getting the ball past either woman in the sluggish conditions in Merida will not be easy.
However, the reality is that Avanesyan does nothing better than Navarro when the American is near her best. She has improved considerably outside of clay in recent months, including in attack, but that does not change Navarro’s superiority. The No. 1 seed in Mexico hammered her opponent in their previous meeting, and she should have had enough to win relatively comfortably again. Avanesyan’s defensive skills mean the match might still take a while, though.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
