Coco Gauff gets her clay-court campaign underway at the WTA Stuttgart. The American faces big-hitting Liudmila Samsonova for the fourth time and leads their head-to-head 3-0. Who will reach the quarterfinals?

WTA Stuttgart Day 4 Predictions
Karolina Muchova vs Elise Mertens

Head-to-head: Muchova 1-1 Mertens

Muchova is playing in Stuttgart for the first time since 2021. The Czech wasted no time in dismissing Belarusian qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2 6-4 in her opening match. Mertens, for her part, beat a determined 6-3 6-4. The Belgian recovered from a break in the second set to wrap up victory in straight sets. Muchova and Mertens have not faced off in five years. But in that time, Muchova has developed into a top-tier shotmaker. I expect her to mix pace and throw that low backhand slice to keep points on her terms. It’s the blueprint she needs to take down Mertens.

Prediction: Muchova in 3

Leylah Fernandez vs Zeynep Sonmez

Head-to-head: first meeting

Fernandez stuttered in the final few games against Alexandra Eala, but the Canadian eventually got the job done in straight sets. That was only her fifth win of the season. Sonmez continues to break new ground. Her sensational 6-2 6-2 victory over Jasmine Paolini made her the first Turkish player to defeat a Top 10 opponent in WTA history. That result should bring an instant confidence spike. I still expect Fernandez to have the shot-making edge with her huge lefty patterns. Fernandez’s risk tolerance on her second serve is also an asset (won a healthy 87% of points).

Prediction: Fernandez in 3

Coco Gauff vs Liudmila Samsonova

Head-to-head: Gauff 3-0 Samsonova

Gauff leads the head-to-head 3-0, but she hasn’t faced Samsonova in three years. Samsonova will certainly bring that trademark forehand power, but clay takes a bit off those shots and can leave her vulnerable when she is off. And if the Russian is not serving at a high level, she will have trouble finishing points against an extraordinary defender like Gauff. Even on her first match of the season on clay, Gauff’s consistency should be the difference.

Prediction: Gauff in 2

Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports