A couple of quarter-final picks from the WTA Paris Masters today, and both are tighter than they might look on paper. We've got our takes below.
WTA Paris Masters Predictions
Katie Volynets vs Yuliia Starodubtseva
Head-to-head: Volynets 1-0 Starodubtseva
Starodubtseva holds a ranking advantage here, but Volynets has already beaten her before and clearly has her number in some way. Volynets has been quietly building on clay and reaching a quarter-final at this level says something about her form right now, especially coming in as the lower-ranked player.
That said, Starodubtseva is no pushover and this feels like the kind of match that goes the distance. I think Volynets has enough to get through, but she'll need to stay sharp in the third, all things considered.
Prediction: Volynets in 3
Alina Charaeva vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Head-to-head: Charaeva 1-0 Sasnovich
Sasnovich has been around the tour long enough to know how to grind through these matches, but Charaeva is ranked higher right now and already owns the H2H. On clay, Charaeva's game, which is built around patience and consistency, tends to suit longer rallies and Sasnovich doesn't have the firepower to blow through someone who's comfortable trading from the baseline.
Hard to see this being competitive at all by the end of it.
Prediction: Charaeva in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Matthieu Mirville/ZUMA Press Wire