There is a superb WTA schedule for Day 5 in Brisbane. Two-time Grand Slam runner-up Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula, WTA Finals champion Elena Rybakina, and Paula Badosa are all set to play. As always, we at LWOT predict all the action in our articles. Mirra Andreeva vs Linda Noskova is among the matches predicted in a separate article.
WTA Brisbane Day 5 Predictions
Liudmila Samsonova vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Head-to-head: Samsonova 1-1 Sasnovich
Sasnovich will almost certainly use the same style as she did in her previous match against Clara Tauson. She frustrated the powerful Dane from start to finish by focusing on putting balls into the court and extracting unforced errors. Samsonova is notoriously inconsistent, making her level harder to predict. If Sasnovich plays as well again, her game is suitable for disrupting Samsonova if the No. 10 seed does not execute perfectly.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
Elena Rybakina vs Paula Badosa
Head-to-head: Rybakina 4-4 Badosa
The head-to-head could not be closer, but Rybakina has won their last three meetings. Badosa did well to hold her nerve after losing the opening set against Marie Bouzkova in the Round of 32. The huge-serving Rybakina will provide an entirely different test. After so many injuries and this early into the season, I do not trust Badosa enough to back her.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Jessica Pegula vs Dayana Yastremska
Head-to-head: Yastremska 1-0 Pegula
Yastremska only dropped three games against Leylah Fernandez in a devastating performance. When the Ukrainian plays like that, it leaves some wondering why she is not a Top 10 player. The much more consistent Pegula will hope her solid and smart tennis proves enough. Her reliability makes me give Pegula the edge, but Yastremska winning again by playing at a similar level would not be much of a surprise.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Amanda Anisimova vs Marta Kostyuk
Head-to-head: Kostyuk 2-1 Anisimova
Kostyuk’s head-to-head record against Anisimova offers encouragement. However, she actually tends to struggle most against big-hitting opponents, and the American won their most recent meeting. If the Wimbledon and US Open runner-up plays near her best, it will undoubtedly be too much for Kostyuk despite her battling qualities.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images