Eight players remain in contention for the 2024 Libema Open title at WTA Den Bosch. Naomi Osaka against Bianca Andreescu is quite a mouth-watering matchup, with both Grand Slam champions returning to form in front of our very eyes. Who do you think will come out on top?
WTA Den Bosch Quarterfinal Predictions
Aleksandra Krunic vs Dalma Galfi
Head-to-head: 1-1
Aleksandra Krunic’s comeback is really speeding up here with the win over top-seeded Jessica Pegula. The American is just returning from injury herself and wasn’t that sharp yet, but it was still an impressive scalp for a player who hadn’t done something like that in a while. Now she has to follow that up, though, and it’s Dalma Galfi who’s the favorite here. Ilkley title in 2022, third round at Wimbledon last year – these are the highlights of the Hungarian’s grass career. The contrast of styles will be exciting, but Galfi has the tools in her hand.
Prediction: Galfi in 3
Greet Minnen vs Liudmila Samsonova
Head-to-head: Minnen 3-0
It’s a pretty surprising head-to-head considering Greet Minnen can often struggle against powerful players. The Belgian is a great ball-striker and loves dictating with her forehand, but she can’t do that when the opponent has massive weight of shot off both wings. A recent example is what Elena Rybakina did to her at the French Open, making it seem like she was facing a very passive player. Liudmila Samsonova is erratic, but if she finds her rhythm she should be able to forget about these losses against Minnen from back in the day.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
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Robin Montgomery vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Ekaterina Alexandrova has now won 12 matches in a row at this event, picking up the title in 2022 and 2023. The Russian is an excellent grass-courter with her aggressive returning and flat-hitting becoming even more dangerous with the speed of the surface and the lower bounce. She’s still relatively inconsistent though and faces a talented youngster here. But Alexandrova must be the favorite here with the courts supporting her hit-or-miss play style.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Naomi Osaka vs Bianca Andreescu
Head-to-head: Osaka 1-0
It’s been a while since we had these two on tour at the peak of their powers, but it doesn’t seem like they’re that far off now? At least they’re both competing and playing very well. Bianca Andreescu is looking great for just her second event back, while Naomi Osaka is coming off that legendary performance against Iga Swiatek at the French Open (missed a match point in the second round). The Japanese never loved grass courts, but she solved her clay issues and has a lot of natural weaponry for these courts.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports