Three quarter-final picks from Wimbledon today, and honestly it's a fascinating set of matches with some real uncertainty across the board. Who do you think makes it to the semis?
WTA Wimbledon Predictions
Naomi Osaka vs Karolina Muchova
Head-to-head: Osaka 3-3 Muchova
A perfectly even rivalry, and this feels like the most difficult match of the three to call. Muchova is one of the most naturally gifted grass-court players on tour, with that variety and feel at net that makes her genuinely awkward to play on this surface. Osaka can be dangerous when her serve is clicking and she's dictating from the baseline, but Wimbledon has never really been her best event, and Muchova's ability to change pace and direction tends to disrupt exactly the kind of rhythm Osaka needs.
I think the third set is where this gets decided and Muchova's grass-court experience at this stage of a Slam tips it her way.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Marta Kostyuk vs Jasmine Paolini
Head-to-head: Kostyuk 1-2 Paolini
Paolini is a tough player to bet against right now given how deep she's been running in Slams lately, but grass has always been a better fit for Kostyuk's flat, aggressive hitting and she's been playing some of the cleanest tennis of her career this fortnight. Paolini's game is built on energy and high ball-striking, and she can make that work anywhere, but the low bounce here takes away some of what makes her so effective on slower surfaces.
That said, Kostyuk wins this one.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3
Linda Noskova vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: First meeting
Mertens is a smart, experienced player and she's comfortable on grass, but Noskova's power off both wings, which has been on full display throughout this fortnight, is a real problem on this surface, and at 20 years old she's been growing into big matches all year. Hard to see Mertens handling this in straight sets. I feel like Noskova's serve and flat groundstrokes are just too much on this surface.
Prediction: Noskova in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Rob Prange/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire