Most of the top seeds fell on Wednesday at the WTA Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open with No. 2 Paula Badosa, No. 3 Daria Kasatkina, and No. 4 Yulia Putintseva all exiting the competition. As such, top seed and defending champion Elena Rybakina is now the heavy frontrunner to claim the title again. But it’s not quite as simple as it may seem on paper, especially with Ons Jabeur awaiting her in the quarterfinals. Who do you think will prevail?

WTA Abu Dhabi Quarterfinal Predictions

Marketa Vondrousova vs Belinda Bencic

Head-to-head: Bencic 2-1

This matchup had its space to shine in the Olympic final in 2021, but now they’re both coming back after not being able to play all that much in 2024. Marketa Vondrousova has been struggling with injuries, while Belinda Bencic is returning to action after pregnancy. It’s tough to say which comeback will gain more traction at this point. Bencic has the better hard-court game though and her flat backhand ball-striking could make it tough for Vondrousova to produce her heavy, lefty topspin forehands.
Prediction: Bencic in 2

Leylah Fernandez vs Ashlyn Krueger

Head-to-head: 1-1

Ashlyn Krueger remains a little too erratic, but her easy power is doing more and more damage on the WTA circuit. She’s had some big results this year already and that includes eliminating Daria Kasatkina in the second round here. Courts in Abu Dhabi seem to suit her as well and she defeated Leylah Fernandez in Toronto last year. The clash of styles in this one should be fascinating but if Krueger is on top of her game, she’s the player with more pace and a higher upside.
Prediction: Krueger in 3

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Magda Linette vs Linda Noskova

Head-to-head: Linette 2-0

We’re still waiting for the true explosion of Linda Noskova’s talent and maybe this event could be it. So far the Czech has only dropped eight games combined against Magdalena Frech and Paula Badosa, touching some of that peak level that we know she has in store. Meanwhile, Magda Linette advanced to the quarterfinals after Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova was forced to retire. While the Pole already earned a surprise win over Noskova in Prague last year, the youngster should be ready for her now.
Prediction: Noskova in 2

Elena Rybakina vs Ons Jabeur

Head-to-head: Jabeur 3-2

Elena Rybakina won the title in Abu Dhabi in 2024, but now concerns remain after she missed most of the latter half of the previous season and can’t seem to get her body right. It was a tough win in second-round over Katie Volynets and her level suggested she’s still far from her best. She’ll need to sort things out quickly as she’s facing Ons Jabeur in a Wimbledon final rematch. The Tunisian is in top shape to start this year (unlike her previous campaigns) and will push Rybakina to the brink here. Maybe the weaponry can just get the Kazakh through.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3

Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports