The Round of 16 is a wrap and the final eight are set at the WTA Mubadala Silicon Valley Open. In a surprising twist, the #3 seed Elise Mertens crashed out, along with #8 seed Danielle Collins. Here\u2019s a look at the quarterfinal matches and the picks for who\u2019s moving on to the semifinals.<\/p>\n
Head to head: <\/strong>Suarez Navarro 0-2 Sabalenka<\/p>\n This will be Suarez Navarro\u2019s and Sabalenka\u2019s first meeting of 2019 and it\u2019s noteworthy because they are both much different players than during their two 2018 meetings. Sabalenka won both meetings, but that was at the height of her breakout run. In her opener against CoCo Vandeweghe, the Belorussian threw in six double faults and offered up six break point opportunities. If it weren\u2019t for a sluggish CoCo Vandeweghe, the Sabalenka serve would have been broken more than once. Sabalenka is clearly a top tier talent, yet over the last six months, we\u2019ve seen her game go completely off the rails.<\/p>\n Suarez Navarro will make Sabalenka earn every point. The Spaniard started slow against Bethanie Mattek-Sands who took the first set 6-3. Yet, Suarez Navarro was able to up her level, find that extra gear, and take the second set 6-1. Thanks in part to a fatigued Mattek-Sands, the #6 seed continued her roll and took the decider. Suarez Navarro can always get one more ball back in play. And, her ability to redirect off her single handed backhand is a formidable weapon.<\/p>\n This is another match that won\u2019t be quick. I expect the Belorussian and Spaniard to battle through three tight sets. I\u2019ll give the edge to Sabalenka who\u2019s fresher and leads the head to head.
\nPrediction: Sabalenka in 3<\/em><\/p>\n