Quarterfinal action at the WTA Guadalajara Open features an all-American matchup between Sloane Stephens and Peyton Stearns. Who will advance to the semifinals?
WTA Guadalajara Quarterfinal Predictions
Sara Bejlek vs Cristina Bucsa
Head-to-head: Bucsa 1-0 Bejlek
Sara Bejlek is back to winning ways. The young Czech picked up her first win since that sensational run in Cincinnati. Bejlek overcame big-serving Alycia Parks in straight sets for a debut win in Guadalajara. Cristina Bucs, meanwhile, backed up her quality win over Bianca Andreescu by beating Panna Udvardy in the last round. These two met at the US Open, where Bejlek suffered a shock first-round defeat. Bejlek has work to do to counter the physical, counterpunching style the Spaniard brings. The more Bejlek attacks the open court, the more she can force Bucsa out of her comfort zone.
Prediction: Bejlek in 2
Iva Jovic vs Magdalena Frech
Head-to-head: Jovic 1-0 Frech
Defending champion Iva Jovic is set for a US Open rematch against Magdalena Frech. Jovic began the tournament with an impressive 7-6 6-4 victory against the fast-improving Zeynep Sonmez. Frech, who won the Guadalajara Open in 2024, beat Nao Hibino and Caroline Dolehide without dropping a set. Jovic has already shown she can solve this matchup and needed the patience (not particularly her strongest attribute) to hit through the Pole in New York. I’ll side with the American.
Prediction: Jovic in 3
Tennis – U.S. Open – Flushing Meadows, New York, United States – September 3, 2026 Iva Jovic of the U.S. in action during her second round match against Britain’s Francesca Jones IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Geoff Burke
Marta Kostyuk vs Liudmila Samsonova
Head-to-head: Samsonova 4-0 Kostyuk
Marta Kostyuk made the surprising decision to play in Guadalajara. The Ukrainian is celebrating a Top 10 debut this week, and she has not played a single minute so far. Kostyuk received a bye in the first round and was due to face Taylor Townsend in her opening match. But the American withdrew from the tournament to undergo emergency surgery. Liudmila Samsonova has played two matches this week. She survived a near three-hour marathon against Kayla Day in the last round. Samsonova owns a perfect 4-0 record against Kostyuk, but their last meeting was in 2023. Kostyuk has taken her game to another level since then and should truncate that head-to-head deficit.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
Sloane Stephens vs Peyton Stearns
Head-to-head: Stephens 2-0 Stearns
Sloane Stephens is rolling back the years at the Guadalajara Open. She is into her second quarterfinal in this tournament. The American saved two set points to earn a tight straight-sets win over Janice Tjen in the last round. Like Stephens, Peyton Stearns has not dropped a set on her way to the last eight with victories over Emiliana Arango and Monterrey champion Diane Parry. By dint of ranking, Stearns should be the favorite, but Stephens has looked in terrific form in recent weeks (three of her last four four defeats coming against Top 20 opponents). The one-time Grand Slam champion’s improved confidence should give the edge.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Main Photo Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images