Most of the results in Wuhan on Wednesday were predictable, but there was one that stood out like a sore thumb… Timea Bacsinszky d. Maria Sharapova, 7-6(3) 7-5.  Bacsinszky has been in great form over the last couple of weeks, but I don’t think anyone expected this.  A straight sets win over Sharapova is a really excellent result, no matter how badly Maria was playing.  Bacsinszky reached the semi-finals in Guangzhou last week, but her form has been on an upward trend through 2014.  She has reached five ITF finals this year, winning two and has come through qualifying at six tournaments this year including in Wuhan.

1.  Petra Kvitova v Caroline Garcia (Wuhan, QF)

Petra Kvitova overcame a tough third round match to end Karolina Pliskova‘s seven match winning streak and book her spot in the quarter-finals of Wuhan.  Kvitova beat Pliskova, 6-3 2-6 6-4 in one hour and 51 minutes.  This was a typical P3tra match, but it was one that she could easily have lost based on Karolina’s excellent recent form.  Before the draw was made, it looked like Petra would play one of Radwanska, Azarenka, Jankovic or Venus, in the quarters; However all four have fallen and it is Caroline Garcia who has emerged.

Garcia had two fabulous three set wins over Venus Williams and Agnieszka Radwanska on back-to-back days and then enjoyed a comfortable straight sets victory over Coco Vandeweghe in the third round.  I watched the entire Radwanska-Garcia match last night, which was excellent.  Garcia was so aggressive in her gameplan and executed it remarkably well.  There were errors of course, but enough winners and variety too, to get past Aga.  The biggest improvement in Caroline’s game has been on the mental side.  I remember a year or so ago, she was struggling to score wins on the WTA tour.  There have been ups and downs this year, most notably a lull in form after an upsetting first round loss to Ana Ivanovic at her Grand Slam, but the positives have been very encouraging.  When she’s on the money, her game is gorgeous to watch.

This will be a first career match-up between Kvitova and Garcia.  Much like Kvitova’s match with Pliskova, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Garcia net another big win.  She is certainly playing well enough.  However, once again i’m giving the edge to Petra in this match.

Prediction: Kvitova d. Garcia in 3 sets

2. Alize Cornet v Eugenie Bouchard (Wuhan, QF)

Alize Cornet continued her good recent form to reach the quarter-finals of Wuhan and set up a quarter-final match with Eugenie Bouchard.  Cornet reached the final of Guangzhou and against the odds, has shown no (major) ill effects from that run, which saw her suffer from heat exhaustion in multiple matches.  Cornet technically earnt her third victory over Serena Williams when the world number one was forced to retire ill in the second round and then showed her superior mental strength to defeat Kirsten Flipkens in three sets, 7-6(4) 1-6 6-3.  Flipkens led 3-1* in the decider, but Cornet raced through the last few games to reach the last eight in Wuhan.

Bouchard was pushed to three sets in her first match on Tuesday against Mona Barthel, but had a much more routine match on Wednesday as she defeated Alison Riske, 6-2 6-3.  The last time Bouchard and Cornet met was at Wimbledon in the last 16.  I watched that match live and am still surprised to this day that they put it on Centre Court.  It was a nervy affair and neither played well with Bouchard edging it in straight sets, 7-6(5) 7-5.  Bouchard should be reasonably fresh compared to Cornet, who is surely running on empty.

Prediction: Bouchard d. Cornet in 2 sets

WTA Wuhan Quarter-Final Predictions

Angelique Kerber d. Elina Svitolina in 2 tight sets

Caroline Wozniacki d. Timea Bacsinszky in 3 sets