There were some very interesting results in Dubai on Wednesday as five of the top eight seeds went out of the tournament. The loss of the top seeds in the bottom half means that one of Lucie Safarova, Karolina Pliskova, Garbine Muguruza or Carla Suarez Navarro will make a Premier 5 final in Dubai this week, which is a huge deal. Thursday is quarter-finals day and although the matches aren’t of the same calibre as on Tuesday and Wednesday, there’s still plenty of intrigue left in this tournament.
1. Simona Halep v Ekaterina Makarova (Dubai, QF)
Simona Halep faces a big match-up on Thursday as she takes on Ekaterina Makarova in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Championships. Halep suffered a surprising straight sets loss to Makarova in Melbourne having looked in such good form previous to that match. Halep survived the exodus of top seeds on Wednesday with a straight sets victory over Tsvetana Pironkova, 6-4 6-3. Makarova continues to be extremely solid on tour and validate her top ten position in the rankings. She defeated Zarina Diyas, 6-3 6-4 to book her place in the quarter-finals for the first time in her career. In fact, both players have reached new ground in Dubai. It will be very intriguing to see how Halep handles this match and whether she feels any the pressure that seemed to affect her in Australia. If Halep plays a solid match, I think she will have the beating of the Russian player. However, we’ve seen before that Makarova is more than capable of taking advantage…
Prediction: Halep d. Makarova in 2 tight sets
2. Garbine Muguruza v Carla Suarez Navarro (Dubai, QF)
A fascinating all-Spanish quarter-final between Garbine Muguruza and Carla Suarez Navarro is on the cards for Thursday. The pair are regular doubles partners, but they will play each other in their first ever singles encounter on the WTA tour. Both upset top eight seeds on Wednesday; Muguruza recorded her second consecutive victory over Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-4 6-2, while Suarez Navarro defeated Petra Kvitova for the second consecutive year in Dubai, 6-3 4-6 6-3. Muguruza has been very impressive this week and continues to pick up high-profile wins. She has already beaten the likes of Simona Halep, Agnieszka Radwanska (X2), Jelena Jankovic and Sara Errani in 2015. Suarez Navarro’s form has been equally pleasing. She was forced to withdraw from the final in Antwerp last week due to a neck injury, but has recovered in time to take out two big hitters in Camila Giorgi and Petra Kvitova. CSN will have chances in this one, particularly if Muguruza is erratic. Garbine has been very convincing in her last two matches and she’s my tip to go all the way in Dubai after Petra’s exit…
Prediction: Muguruza d. Suarez Navarro in 2 tight sets
WTA Dubai Quarter-Final Prediction
Caroline Wozniacki d. Flavia Pennetta in 2 sets
Moo's Tennis Blog 
I say Halep, Muguruza and Wozniacki for wins but I’m sure one of them will lose…
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I think Halep is shaky. Prinkova should have won if her mindset stayed focus during the match and she did not injure her hamstring. I think both matches are too close to call. Muguruza looks really solid but Suarez is on form….Woz vs Pen –> Woz wins. Anyway, I think MUG has the chance to win this all if she can cross over Lucie/Kaja.
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I agree, Halep really wasn’t that solid against Pironkova, and if her opponent had been a little more so herself it would have been a different result. The trouble is Makarova looked far from solid herself against Diyas. There was loads of sloppy stuff. Whoever tightens up their game will win. There’s no doubt Makarova can beat Halep on these courts if she plays a good match.
Safarova to beat Pliskova has to be the like going by todays performances. But it would be silly to take anything for granted in that one.
Wozniaki to beat Pennetta in 3. Cornet should have taken the first set today. Serving 4 double faults in the first 5 points of the second to get broken was the icing on the cake!
I think Muguruza v CSN will go to three sets. Its very unlikely Muguruza will give nearly as much away as Petra did today so she’s my pick to win. 2-0 if she’s really on it. But CSN is playing well enough to notch yet another win if she’s given half a chance
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I think Halep will play better and she did what was needed for the win today.. That’s why they play the game!! Short, stout and powerful! Go Halep!
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