A couple of quarter-final picks from the WTA Canadian Open to get into today, and both are genuinely interesting matches. Who do you think makes it through?
WTA Canadian Open Predictions
Belinda Bencic vs Cori Gauff
Head-to-head: Bencic 0-1 Gauff
Gauff won their only meeting, but Bencic is a different animal on hard courts and she's been playing some of her best tennis since returning from maternity leave. There's something about the way she absorbs pace and redirects it that makes hard-court conditions suit her particularly well and Gauff has had some shaky stretches this season where her consistency in longer rallies has dipped.
That said, Gauff is ranked higher for a reason and she's dangerous on any hard court. But I think Bencic's variety and timing off the ground will be enough to take this one the distance, and in a third set anything can happen. Bencic in three feels right here, all things considered.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Elina Svitolina
Head-to-head: Alexandrova 1-3 Svitolina
Svitolina leads this H2H 3-1, a record built across a range of surfaces, and has generally looked the more composed player when these two have met. Alexandrova can be a handful on fast hard courts with that flat ball she hits off both wings, but Svitolina's defensive game and ability to stay calm under pressure makes her a tough out for players who rely on winners more than consistency.
Hard to see this being competitive at all. Svitolina wins this in straight sets.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Rob Prange/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire