There is a stellar WTA Adelaide quarterfinal lineup. Teenage star Mirra Andreeva, last year’s Australian Open champion Madison Keys, and fellow American player Emma Navarro are all on the slate. The men’s quarterfinals will be played on the same day, and we at LWOT predict those matches, including Tommy Paul vs Aleksandar Vukic, in a separate article.
WTA Adelaide Quarterfinal Predictions
Jaqueline Cristian vs Kimberly Birrell
Head-to-head: Cristian 1-1 Birrell
These two have had contrasting routes to reach this point. Cristian produced four excellent performances since qualifying, including straight-set triumphs over Ekaterina Alexandrova and Daria Kasatkina. Birrell only needed one win against lucky loser Anastasia Potapova because of Marketa Vondrousova’s withdrawal before their round-of-16 encounter. Despite Cristian’s excellent previous efforts, Birrell is narrowly favored here. The Romanian tends to suffer a surprising loss after building some momentum, especially on hard courts. Birrell’s home advantage could also be a critical factor.
Prediction: Birrell in 3
Madison Keys vs Victoria Mboko
Head-to-head: First meeting
This could be one of the tournament’s best matches. Mboko strikes the ball pretty hard, but she will need her athleticism against Keys’s massive hitting. The teenager dug in to win close battles against Beatriz Haddad Maia and Anna Kalinskaya despite not being at her best. Although Mboko possesses a game that can challenge Keys, the defending champion is still backed to win. The 30-year-old’s comfort in the conditions will make it challenging for anyone to stop her.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Emma Navarro vs Diana Shnaider
Head-to-head: Shnaider 2-1 Navarro
All of Shnaider and Navarro’s previous meetings have been decided in a third set. Shnaider did a good job in those matches of finding a good balance between aggression and not overhitting against her athletic opponent. On the lively courts in Adelaide, I favor Navarro slightly more. Shnaider would benefit more from having time to wind up her groundstrokes. The courts also give Navarro’s vulnerable second serve some protection.
Prediction: Navarro in 3
Mirra Andreeva vs Maya Joint
Head-to-head: First meeting
This promises to be a fun battle between two players who will be fixtures on the WTA Tour for many years. Despite the 18-year-old Andreeva being a year younger, she has more experience. Last year’s BNP Paribas Open champion also possesses the greater firepower. Players like Joint, who is relentlessly solid without yet hitting with overwhelming pace, used to bother Andreeva. Since Conchita Martinez became her coach, Andreeva has been steadier against such opponents, and I think she will avoid an upset.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images