WTA Cleveland Semifinal Predictions Including Cirstea vs Zakharova

Former World No. 21 Sorana Cirstea is looking to reach her first WTA Tour final since 2021 as she faces Anastasia Zakharova in the semifinals in Cleveland. The other Tennis in the Land final four matchup features No. 2 seed Xinyu Wang battling against Ann Li. Wang is the only Top 50 player left in the field but had to work quite hard to reach this stage of the tournament. Who do you think will come out on top?

WTA Cleveland Semifinal Predictions

Ann Li vs Xinyu Wang

Head-to-head: Wang 2-0

Xinyu Wang defeated Ann Li at the Australian Open and in Monterrey three years ago, so it’s been a while since they last met. The No. 2 seed has been getting through all her matches in deciding sets this week, despite overall being in pretty strong form since reaching the Berlin final in June (lost to Marketa Vondrousova). Both players had to compete twice on Thursday, ultimately getting a pretty similar dose of tennis. Wang finished her ordeal slightly later, but she’s got the more explosive game and perhaps she can continue her pattern of taking down the opposition in deciding sets this week.
Prediction: Wang in 3

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Sorana Cirstea vs Anastasia Zakharova

Head-to-head: First meeting

Sorana Cirstea is going to return to the Top 100 and we’ll see if the changes her initial plans of wanting to retire this year. The Romanian has produced a good comeback after having to end her 2024 campaign prematurely. Even at 35 years of age, she’s still got a few surprises left in store and delivered one of them by eliminating No. 1 seed Liudmila Samsonova last night. Meanwhile, Anastasia Zakharova hasn’t competed in three days due to Eva Lys granting her a walkover. The Russian has a high ceiling and is a developing player, but presently it seems like Cirstea’s class will be enough. After all, she’s been handing out demolitions left and right this week.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2

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