2021 WTA Qatar Open : 3/04/2021 Tennis Prediction and Picks

Two huge matches await us in the Quarter-Finals of the 2021 Qatar Open WTA Event. Number one seed Elina Svitolina faces eighth seeded Victoria Azarenka, and Garbine Muguruza faces Maria Sakkari. The matches will take place on Thursday March 4th, 2021. Who will win and advance to the Semi-Finals?

Elina Svitolina vs Victoria Azarenka – This match is a potential blockbuster between two of the top players in the world. They both have been in outstanding form so far here in Doha and whoever wins here should be considered the favorite to lift the trophy. Svitolina thrashed Misaki Doi for the loss of only three games in the Round of 16, serving well and seemingly hitting winners at will. She is a very aggressive baseline player and knows she will have to be at her best to contend with the elite defense of Azarenka. Azarenka has also been in good form here, after a poor start to the season. A former world number one, she defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova and Laura Siegemund in straight sets. Her game matches up very well with that of Svitolina, so expect a three set thriller here. I am going with Svitolina to edge out a win here. She is striking the ball well and seems very confident. I wouldn’t be surprised if Azarenka won, but the smart money is on both players to win a set. 

Pick – Elina Svitolina to win / Both players to win a set

Garbine Muguruza vs Maria Sakkari – Two in-form players face each other in another Quarter-Final here in Doha, when Spaniard Garbine Muguruza faces Maria Sakkari of Greece. This is a match between two very strong baseline players who are in top form. Sakkari has been outstanding, whipping both Mayar Sherif and Madison Keys for the loss of 7 total games so far. She has hardly set a food wrong and is playing some of the best tennis of her life. She will be confident of getting the win here, especially since she has beaten Muguruza in their only career meeting. Muguruza is a former number one who is also playing some top tennis. She has had a tough road to get here, with tight wins over Viktoria Kudermetova and Aryna Sabalenka to get here. She has a wealth of experience and will need to draw on that to overcome the recent play of her opponent. I expect another tight match, possibly three sets with Muguruza coming out on top. Sakkari has been in excellent form here but Muguruza is simply too solid and experienced, and should eventually wear her down. Another thriller, with Garbine Muguruza getting the win. 

Pick – Garbine Muguruza to win