WTA Toronto Day 8 Predictions Including Gauff vs Korneeva

Eight more women will vie for the last remaining quarterfinal spots at the National Bank Open in Toronto. Coco Gauff is bidding to reach the last eight at WTA Toronto for the first time since 2023, when she squares off against19-year-old Alina Korneeva. But who will advance?

WTA Toronto Day 8 Predictions

Elena Rybakina vs Liudmila Samsonova

Head-to-head: Samsonova 4-2 Rybakina

This will be a fascinating rematch of the 2023 semifinal (in Montreal), which Samsonova won in three topsy-turvy sets. But the circumstances were slightly unusual at the time, as Rybakina was pushed into a brutal schedule and had little left to give towards the end. Rybakina will have the chance to avenge that loss and truncate her losing head-to-head record.

Samsonova has been playing very well in this swing, picking up her fifth win in six matches to reach the last 16. That said, I think Rybakina will have more say in the outcome this time as she comes into this match mentally refreshed. She’s also won their last two matches. Rybakina’s first serve gives her a firmer platform here. She can generate more pace and make it harder for Samsonova to attack.

Prediction: Rybakina in 2

Leylah Fernandez vs Naomi Osaka

Head-to-head: Fernandez 1-1 Osaka

This is one of the best matches on the WTA Toronto schedule. Home favorite Fernandez has never gone beyond the round of 16 at the National Bank Open. And it’s just the second time she will play for a spot in the quarterfinal. But Fernandez has clearly made it her goal to improve on her poor record at this event after upsetting Mirra Andreeva in the last round (first Top 10 win of the season).

Naomi Osaka’s Top 10 return is inching closer, but the Japanese star cannot climb higher than 11th after this tournament. Both players have not dropped a set in the opening week, but Fernandez is probably in the best possible shape to finally launch a deep run on home soil. The Canadian is well suited to frustrate big hitters, and she’s also the better mover, and that could be decisive, especially if this match goes the full distance.

Prediction: Fernandez in 3

Alexandra Eala vs Belinda Bencic

Head-to-head: first meeting

Eala is very much the headline-maker in the North America hard-court swing. After bagging her maiden WTA title in Washington, she has now extended her win streak to seven matches with growing support from a large contingent of Filipino fans. Bencic is coming off a marathon win over Taylor Townsend, which stretched past the three-hour mark at WTA Toronto. Eala will need to be precise with her aggression. Bencic is one of the best absorbers of pace, and the Swiss has the timing to punish anything short in the middle of the court.

Prediction: Bencic in 3

Coco Gauff vs Alina Korneeva

Head-to-head: first meeting

Gauff extended her winning record against Maria Sakkari to reach the round of 16 at WTA Toronto. She held off the Greek’s late fightback to prevail in straight sets. Gauff will now face 19-year-old Alina Korneeva, who recorded a shock win over fellow teen Iva Jovic. Korneeva has come of age in this tournament and will equal her career-best ranking even if she loses this match. I’m leaning toward Gauff. Korneeva has so much attacking intent in her game, but Gauff’s exceptional return and movement should make it difficult to settle into a rhythm and find easy winners.

Prediction: Gauff in 2

Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch – Imagn Images