
The quarterfinals are set at the WTA Prague Open, and it’s a fascinating lineup of matches. Top seed Linda Noskova is playing great and will face a stern test against fellow countrywoman Katerina Siniakova. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate. But which players will advance to the semifinals?
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Lucky loser Jessika Ponchet improved on her first performance to win in straight sets against Barbora Palicova. She is into her second Tour-level quarterfinals and first on hard court. Her resilience has paid off this week, but can she get another win? Tereza Valentova took out the #2 seed, Rebecca Sramkova, in two tight sets to reach her first quarterfinal at this level. The 18-year-old is in great form and should win this match comfortably.
Prediction: Valentova in 2
Head-to-Head: Bouzkova 2-0 Li
Former champion Marie Bouzkova is back into the Prague Open quarterfinals with a comprehensive win in the second round. She looks comfortable in these conditions and is benefiting from the crowd support. Ann Li desperately needed some match wins this week, and she has done that by winning consecutive matches for the first time since May. She will try to extend her winning streak, but Bouzkova is the favorite in this match. The Czech player has never lost a set to Li, and her experience and crowd support give her an advantage.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Xinyu Wang saved a match point in the second round to advance to her second Prague Open quarterfinals. It was an extremely close match with Wang winning fewer overall points than her opponents. The Chinese player will have to do a better job behind her second serve in the next match. 19-year-old Sara Bejlek advanced to her first Tour-level quarterfinal of the season after defeating Alycia Parks in the second round. With this win, Bejlek will reach a new career-high ranking on Monday. Wang has more weapons in her arsenal currently, but I won’t be surprised if this turned into a battle.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Head-to-Head: first meeting
The top seed played much better than in her first-round match to get a straight-sets win over Elisabetta Cocciaretto. The second set was close, but Noskova closed it out brilliantly and is in her fourth quarterfinal in a row at this event. She will face her biggest test against compatriot Katerina Siniakova, who is in her sixth Croatia Open quarterfinals. Noskova’s game is better suited to this surface, but if Siniakova plays well, she could pick up the upset.
Prediction: Noskova in 3
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