WTA Linz quarterfinals: Preview and Predictions
The Generali Ladies Linz enters its quarterfinal round today. Here are the matches that will take place:
Sloane Stephens
1) Sloane Stephens vs Stefanie Vögele
The first quarterfinal sees the counter puncher Stephens take on the hard hitting Swiss Voegele. The American had a relatively tough draw, yet easily defeated the always dangerous Slovak Rybarikova and then grinded out a win over Andrea Petkovic in three sets.
She now faces the Swiss Vögele who also seems to be playing her best after some time, stopping a seven match losing streak after winning her 1st round here. Stephens knows it won’t be an easy ride for her against Voegle, and chances are she will have to bring her A-game to get past the Swiss.
The pick – Sloane Stephens in two sets.
2) Ana Ivanovic vs Dominika Cibulkova
The most entertaining match in the lineup, and one of the two all seeded quarterfinals, is sure to be a firecracker. Two time winner and 3rd seeded Ivanovic, who has lost only three times at this event in her career, looks motivated and determined for title number three.
The popular Serb had a terrible draw by virtue of being forced to face two former top 15 players in the earlier rounds. And while she has been erratic at times, Ivanovic has been convincing and impressive on the whole.
The Slovak, Cibulkova on the other hand also is a hard-hitting player who also reached the final here in Linz in 2011. Expect a battle with winners and unforced errors throughout.
The pick – Ana Ivanovic in two tight sets.
3) Kirsten Flipkens vs Carla Suarez Navarro
If you want to see entertaining rallies and beautiful one handed backhand winners, then this is the match for you.
Two consistent players who are sure to not disappoint, 4th Seed Suarez Navarro and 5th seed Flipkens will duel out in the second all-seeded quarterfinal matchup today.
The Belgian who hasn’t had the best season after her Wimbledon semifinal showing in June, looks to have got her form back and was impressive in her victory over hard hitting Camilla Giorgi. The Spaniard Suarez Navarro on the other hand has lost only five games in each of her two matches this week.
The pick – Flipkens in three sets.
Angelique Kerber
4) Angelique Kerber vs Patricia Mayr-Achleitner
Top seeded Kerber, a late entrant into the draw, faces the Austrian Mayr-Achleitner in a very important quarterfinal. The German is one win away from the season end championships in Istanbul and has quite a lot of pressure on her with other players, including Stephens, breathing down her back for the last spot for Istanbul.
The Austrian, who has probably surpassed her own expectations by beating 6th seed Cirstea in Round 1,will have nothing to lose.
The pick – Kerber in two sets.