Two semi-final picks from Rouen today, under overcast skies and cool temperatures sitting around 12°C. Both matches have a pretty clear favorite on paper, but clay has a way of making things interesting. Let's get into it.
WTA Open Capfinances Rouen Metropole Predictions
Marta Kostyuk vs Tatjana Maria
Head-to-head: Kostyuk 2-0 Maria
Kostyuk has won both previous meetings and there's no real reason to think Maria changes that here. The German plays a distinctive slice-heavy game that can cause problems on fast surfaces, but on clay it tends to defuse itself and Kostyuk is comfortable enough in long rallies to handle whatever Maria throws at her.
Maria at 37 is still a professional and won't just hand it over, but the ranking gap tells the real story and Kostyuk is the better player at this stage of her career on this surface. Should be a fairly routine afternoon.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
Veronika Podrez vs Sorana Cirstea
Head-to-head: First meeting
Podrez is ranked 209th in the world, so just making a WTA semi-final is a serious result for her, and you have to respect the run. That said, Cirstea has been one of the more underrated clay-court players on tour for years, and the ranking gap here is massive. Cirstea's flat, aggressive ball-striking, which has carried her deep in events like this before, tends to work well on slower clay because she takes time away from opponents before rallies develop.
Podrez deserves credit for getting this far, but hard to see this being competitive at all.
Prediction: Boulter in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Stephane Thomas/ZUMA Press Wire