All eight WTA Madrid Round of 16 contests are scheduled on what promises to be a thrilling seventh day in the Spanish capital. Coco Gauff and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka’s matches are among those predicted in this article. We at LWOT predict the rest of the action in a separate article, including Mirra Andreeva vs Yuliia Starodubtseva.<\/p>\n
Head-to-head: First meeting<\/p>\n
Shnaider could not have played much better in her opening two matches. She only dropped three games across four sets against Katie Volynets and Anastasija Sevastova. Beating Swiatek on a clay court, even though she does not like the conditions in Madrid as much as in Rome or Paris, is always one of the hardest challenges in tennis. However, the confidence Swiatek must have taken from an excellent performance against Linda Noskova makes it even tougher. Shnaider will have her moments, but probably not enough to upset the four-time French Open<\/a> champion. Head-to-head: Keys 3-1 Vekic<\/p>\n Keys won a thrilling battle against Vekic at last month’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. The American would have been a clear favorite on clay 12 months ago until Vekic’s rapid improvements on the surface, culminating in winning a silver medal at Roland Garros. Her win in the last round against Emma Navarro also demonstrated her development. While I still favor last year’s semifinalist Keys’ game slightly more than Vekic’s in Madrid, this battle of the powerful hitters could go either way.
\nPrediction: Swiatek in 2<\/em><\/p>\nMadison Keys vs Donna Vekic<\/h4>\n
\nPrediction: Keys in 3<\/em><\/p>\n