Semifinal spots are up for grabs at the WTA 250 event in Eastbourne on Thursday. While Barbora Krejčíková will be eyeing a big run at Wimbledon as the defending champion, she’s been looking for momentum all season after an injury, and would come into Wimbledon strong with a title here. LWOT previews both her quarterfinal match and the remaining matches scheduled. Who will advance?
WTA Eastbourne Quarterfinal Predictions
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Kamilla Rakhimova
Head-to-head: First meeting
There’s not much to separate these two players. Kamilla Rakhimova achieved one of her biggest career wins in the second round, taking out Peyton Stearns 6-3 6-4. She’ll have confidence going into this matchup against a compatriot, and she’s already played two grass-court tournaments before this one in 2025. Eastbourne is Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova’s first season event on grass, and the Russian struggled mightily in a first-round battle, but improved in a 7-5 7-5 win over Kimberly Birrell. Pavlyuchenkova has more experience on grass over the course of her career, and Rakhimova was 2-9 in 2025 at tour-level before this event. Giving the edge to Pavlyuchenkova.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
Dayana Yastremska vs Alexandra Eala
Head-to-head: First meeting
It was a tough way to end Alexandra Eala’s win over Jelena Ostapenko on Wednesday, but winning by retirement meant she will debut in the Top 70. Her flat groundstrokes are tough to predict, but going up against an even flatter and heavier ballstriker like Dayana Yastremska will be tough for the youngster, adapting to a new surface for the first time. The Ukrainian is 7-1 on grass this season, and as long as she can control her groundstrokes, she should have enough experience to battle into the semifinals. Eala has the skills and confidence to grab a set.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3
Anna Blinkova vs Maya Joint
Head-to-head: First meeting
Joint came back from the brink on multiple occasions in a 4-6 6-1 7-6 (4) win over Emma Raducanu. Meanwhile, Blinkova is an impressive 4-2 on the grass courts this year and took out tough names such as Marie Bouzkova and Lulu Sun in Eastbourne. There’s no heavy favorite in this match, but Joint may have the edge; Blinkova hasn’t reached a WTA tour-level semifinal since 2023, and Joint may have a bit more experience despite her youth, as she won a WTA Tour title last month and has been on the come-up all year. Look for Joint to win in two up-and-down sets.
Prediction: Joint in 2
Varvara Gracheva vs Barbora Krejčíková
Head-to-head: First meeting
It’s been a scrappy but important week for Krejčíková, who hasn’t looked at her best in Eastbourne but built momentum in two lung-busting match wins. Most recently, the defending Wimbledon champion took out home favorite Jodie Burrage on Wednesday, saving three match points. Gracheva upset the No. 8 seed Rebecca Šramková in her second-round match, and she’s done well to come through qualifying.
Unlike Krejčíková’s previous two British opponents, Gracheva has less experience on grass courts and has won only four matches on the surface in total. Gracheva has a shot at the upset if she can exploit unforced errors off the Czech’s racket, but it’s more likely that Krejčíková’s building confidence will push her into a semifinal here.
Prediction: Krejčíková in 3
Main Photo Credit: Ray Acevedo – USA TODAY Sports