Four superb WTA Strasbourg quarterfinal matches are scheduled for Thursday. Danielle Collins will try to build on her win over 2021 US Open winner Emma Raducanu against Anna Kalinskaya, who overcame No. 1 seed Jessica Pegula in the previous round. As always, we here at LWOT predict all the matches, but which players do you think will reach the semifinals?
WTA Strasbourg Quarterfinal Predictions
Elena Rybakina vs Magda Linette
Head-to-head: Rybakina 2-0 Linette
Rybakina’s form this season means no match is a sure victory. She has also faced some trouble this season against opponents with similar playing styles to the gritty Linette. At her best, the 2022 Wimbledon champion is a much better clay-court player than Linette, who usually thrives most on hard courts despite beating a rusty Barbora Krejcikova in the opening round in Strasbourg. Rybakina might be able to get through this match without needing to be at her best.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Emma Navarro vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Head-to-head: Navarro 2-2 Haddad Maia
Haddad Maia sealed consecutive wins for the first time in January against Ashlyn Krueger in the previous round. The Brazilian will take confidence from beating Navarro twice on clay last year, although she lost heavily to the American a few weeks ago in Stuttgart. While Haddad Maia has improved after an awful few months in February, March, and April, it is not enough for me to back her to beat Navarro. The US Open semifinalist’s more complete game is not one I think Haddad Maia is playing well enough to overcome.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Paula Badosa vs Liudmila Samsonova
Head-to-head: Samsonova 3-0 Badosa
The head-to-head proves Badosa has had issues with this matchup, although they have not played since 2023. Badosa might be worried by her lack of competitive practice before this contest. The Spaniard’s first match in almost two months ended in Marie Bouzkova retiring midway through the opening set. At her best, Badosa is the better clay-court player in this matchup. However, Samsonova played very well in the opening two rounds, and Badosa might be below her best due to being rusty.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
Danielle Collins vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-head: Collins 2-0 Kalinskaya
Kalinskaya avenged two heartbreaking deciding set tiebreak losses against Pegula in the opening round in Strasbourg. Her task against last year’s runner-up is likely to be greater than the out-of-form Pegula. Collins dominated the backhand-to-backhand exchanges in their previous two meetings and will hope to do so again in conditions she likes. Kalinskaya’s chances should not be ruled out, but Collins starts as the favorite in Strasbourg.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
