Veronika Kudermetova vs Maria Sakkari Prediction: Tough one to call!

The WTA scene in the Guadalajara Open has revved up to the top level. The Draw was amazing and we are seeing the fruits ripen in an incredible fashion. We have now reached the Quarter-Finals stage and a player on a three-game win streak from here on will nab the title. Can Maria Sakkari build upon her momentum as she clashes against Veronika Kudermetova?

Kudermetova entered the Draw as an eight-seed and has lived up to it thus far. She comes into the game after defeating Jelena Ostapenko 6-4, 6-4. She was on fire in that game and nailed 11 Aces while having a 74% win on the first serve. She managed a decisive 30-20 receiving points advantage while also earning a 42-38 service points advantage in her quiver. This win came after she had beaten resurgent Donna Vekic in the Round of 32 so she will enter here after beating two formidable opponents.

Sakkari’s ranking has fallen and she has lost her earlier zip but she continues to be a big-time opponent in the early rounds scenarios. She comes into the game after defeating Danielle Collins 5-7, 6-3, 6-3. Maria started slow but then took advantage of the unforced errors committed by Collins. Her recent returns have been rather slim. She lost in the first round of both the San Diego Open and the Ostrava Open. She is due a big run in major tournaments where the field is full of top-ranked players.

Sakkari and Veronika have met thrice with Maria winning two of those games. Their last clash came during the Australian Open where Maria won in two straight sets.

Veronika has reached the prime of her career and she is ranked higher than she has ever been in her career. Sakkari’s rank has dropped but you never know when a player of her caliber turns it around. Maria will love to revive her season and she was burdened by her higher rank before. In this game, I’d favor Veronika but this can be a nail-biter that goes deep in the deciding set.