WTA Abu Dhabi Open Quarterfinals Picks, Odds

Shelby Rogers vs Belinda Bencic Prediction

This will be the sixth meeting between the American and Swiss. The two’s history dates back to matches in 2013, with their most recent meeting happening in the round of 32 in 2021 at the Western & Southern Open. Heading into this match, Bencic will hold the head-to-head edge as she leads with a 4-1 record. And as the heavy favorite, she looks to be able to extend the record to five wins.

Rogers entered this match as a qualifier, so she has played a total of four matches heading into the quarterfinals. The American has struggled a bit in the tournament, and will enter the final eight after her round of 16 opponent retired from the match in the third set.

Second seed, Bencic on the other hand received a bye in the first round, and defeated her round of 16 opponent in straight sets. She’ll have a total of two sets under her belt heading into the quarterfinal match.

Bencic is clearly the favorite to win, but it’s possible Rogers steals a set. Look for it to go three sets.

Best Bet: Over 2.5 sets (+150)

Daria Kasatkina vs Qinwen Zheng Prediction

This will be the first meeting between Kasatkina and Zheng. The two will take to the court around 7am ET.

The No. 1 seed received a bye through the first round and saw herself drop the first set of her opening match. She had to turn it around quickly against her opponent Jil Teichmann. But Kasatkina managed to pull off the win, winning 1-6, 6-0, 6-2, in an hour and 43 minutes. She went on to record 13 winners over the match, and push her opponent on the defense in the second and third set.

Zheng opened her tournament up against Canadian Rebecca Marino in straight sets where she went onto hit 10 aces to just one double fault. She upset fifth seed Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets winning 7(12)-6(10), 6-1, once again hitting 10 aces, to reach her first quarterfinal of 2023.

This has the makings to be the most exciting match of the day. Despite being the No. 1 seed Kasatkina is not the favorite heading into this match. This could be because of Zheng’s serve, which can make all the difference in a match for her. Regardless of the winner, expect the match to go three sets.

Best Bet: Over 2.5 sets (+115)

Veronika Kudermetova vs Liudmila Samsonova Prediction

Kudermetova and Samsonova will go head-to-head for the fourth time on Friday. World No. 11 Kudermetova leads the head-to-head 2-1. Their first meeting came in 2021, where Samsonova won, but it’s Kudermetova who has won the last two matches. Their most recent meeting was in the round of 16 in Berlin in 2022.

As the fourth seed, Kudermetova received a bye as well through to the second round. She went onto to defeat her opponent Elise Mertens 6-1, 7-5. Samsonova had her first round match cancelled. In her opening match, she lost her opening set, but managed to piece together a comeback to win 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.

Once again, regardless of the winner here, the best bet would be in the length of the match.