We've got one semi-final pick from Saint-Malo today, with rain hanging over the Brittany coast and temperatures barely touching double figures. Not ideal conditions for clay-court tennis, but the match has to be played.
WTA Open 35 de Saint-Malo Predictions
Tereza Valentova vs Anna Blinkova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Valentova has been one of the more consistent performers on clay this season and reaching a semi-final at a WTA event at 21 is a real sign of progress. The ranking gap is a bit misleading here since Blinkova has been dealing with a stop-start year, and her results on clay specifically, where she's struggled to find any real rhythm, haven't been convincing enough to make her the favorite in this one.
That said, Blinkova is a capable player and a first meeting always adds a bit of uncertainty. The wet, heavy conditions in Saint-Malo should slow things down considerably and that probably suits Valentova's baseline game more than Blinkova's flatter hitting. I think Valentova gets through, but not without a fight, and the third set feels very likely.
Prediction: Valentova in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Dennis Agyeman/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire