Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Karolina Pliskova Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA National Bank Open

Prediction published on 13/08/2022, 08:38  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 13/08/2022 at 09:39 in Tennis Predictions

It's been another WTA tournament full of shocks. None of the top six seeds have made it to the semi-finals and that includes world number one Iga Swiatek. Her conqueror, the unseeded Beatriz Haddad-Mia faces 14th seeded Karolina Pliskova in the last four. The winner takes on either seventh seeded Jessica Pegula or 15th seed Simona Halep in the final. Maia began this week ranked 24th but was as low as 73rd six months ago. Her run to the semi-finals in Toronto have taken her up to 20th and a win over Pliskova will see her rise to 16th. Maia has won two tournaments this year, both on grass courts. Her form dipped a bit after winning the Eastbourne title with two consecutive defeats. This week has gone so much better though with wins over Martina Trevisan (in three sets), 13th seed Leylah Fernandez, top seeded Iga Swiatek (again three sets) and in the quarter finals. coming from behind to beat 12th seed Belinda Bencic.

Karolina Pliskova is the world number 14 but began the year ranked fourth. Losing the points from reaching the 2021 Wimbledon final hasn't helped her but she lacks consistency. This is only her second semi-final of the year, the other being on clay in Strasbourg. Five times this year, Pliskova has been beaten in the last 64 of a tournament but finally this week she's found some form. There have been victories over Barbora Krejcikova, Amanda Anisimova, third seeded Maria Sakkari (in three sets) and Zheng Qinwen (after losing the first set). Pliskova has had wins over some out-of-form players and would likely have failed to get past the players her opponents has had to face. There have been two previous meetings between these players. Pliskova had an easy win four years ago but the most recent was last year at Indian Wells with Maia winning in straight sets. Go for Maia to get through to the final, though three sets may be required.