This week’s WTA event in Merida is heading into the deciding weekend, with the tournament’s #1 seed and world #7 Jasmine Paolini emerging as a clear favorite to hoist the trophy, but with several players capable of throwing a wrench into the works. This Friday should be a fantastic day of tennis Merida, with tight and high quality matches all throughout the day.

WTA Merida Quarterfinal Predictions
Magdalena Frech vs Marie Bouzkova

Head-to-head: Bouzkova 2-1 Frech

Although Bouzkova is ranked far higher at the moment, the gap in quality is much smaller than the ranking suggests and Frech has been playing better this year so far, with Bouzkova struggling to get wins (losing the first round in her last two tournaments). It should be a very close match in any case but Frech might have a slight edge at the moment.
Prediction: Frech in 3

Zeynep Sonmez vs Cristina Bucsa

Head-to-head: first meeting

Both players are in a similar situation, coming into this tournament on a terrible streak but getting back on track with some excellent performances to beat higher ranked players to get to this stage this week. With a semifinal at stake, both players are sure to put it all on the line and it should produce a very close match decided by fine margins either way.
Prediction: Sonmez in 3

Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva vs Shuai Zhang

Head-to-head: first meeting

Both players are on an amzing streak, with four wins in a row from qualifying to get to this stage of the tournament. This is an incredible opportunity for both to reach a completely unexpected semifinal at WTA level and the outcome might well come down to who is able to hold their nerve better under pressure and execute better on the big points.
Prediction: Kasintseva in 3

Jasmine Paolini vs Katie Boulter

Head-to-head: Paolini 3-1 Boulter

Paolini is by far the highest ranked player in the draw and all the pressure is on her to win the title on Sunday. However, her form hasn’t been particularly great so far in 2026, and Boulter is on a fantastic streak of seven wins, with a title in Ostrava and two wins in Merida already. She will certainly make this very difficult for Paolini, who will need to step up her game to advance here.
Prediction: Paolini in 3

Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports