All of the top 5 seeds, including five of the world`s top 6 players, are ready for Saturday`s exciting quarterfinals at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart.
World No. 2 Iga Swiatek has a strong history in Stuttgart. She has won 11 out of 12 matches here, taking the titles in 2022 and 2023, both times defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
“I’m definitely proud of what I’ve done here,” Swiatek said. “It’s nice to come back and remember those good times, but it doesn’t affect what will happen next. I need to stay focused on the future.”
Staying focused shouldn`t be an issue for Swiatek, especially with her upcoming quarterfinal match against Jelena Ostapenko. Ostapenko has been a difficult opponent for Swiatek in the past.
Ostapenko has won all 5 of their previous matches. However, they have never played on clay before, which is Swiatek`s strongest surface.
Here’s a breakdown of Saturday’s quarterfinals (there are no matches on Friday in Stuttgart because of Good Friday):
No. 3 Jessica Pegula vs. Ekaterina Alexandrova
This match between two WTA 500 title winners this year promises to be interesting. It`s hard to predict who will win.
Pegula won the Charleston tournament recently, while Alexandrova won in Linz in February. In the previous round, Pegula easily defeated Magdalena Frech 6-1, 6-1, and Alexandrova beat No. 6 seed Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 6-2.
They played two weeks ago in the Charleston semifinals, where Pegula won 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.
“Who knows what will happen on Saturday?” Pegula told reporters. “We just played in Charleston, and it was a really close match. I probably should have lost, but I managed to win.”
“Every time I’ve played her recently, it’s been a real fight.”
Like Linz, Stuttgart is an indoor tournament, which Alexandrova likes. However, her Linz title was on a hard court, which suits her game better.
Alexandrova says her key to success is lowering her expectations. This helped her defeat Karolina Muchova in Linz and Andreeva, the rising 17-year-old who is attracting a lot of attention.
“When you don’t expect too much, it’s much easier,” Alexandrova explained. “You don’t put extra pressure on yourself. You focus on dealing with the current challenges, even if things aren`t going perfectly.”
Head-to-head: 2-2. Pegula has won both of their matches on clay, including in Rome in 2021 and recently in Charleston.
No. 2 Iga Swiatek vs. Jelena Ostapenko
Swiatek has won 90 out of 101 career matches on clay. But she says switching from hard courts to clay isn`t automatic.
“It’s not like I just come and everything is perfect,” Swiatek said. “We play on hard courts most of the year, so I still need time to adjust to clay.”
“But I feel like I’m in a good place.”
Swiatek played well in her previous match, winning 6-2, 6-2 against Jana Fett.
But Ostapenko, a difficult opponent, is next. Ostapenko defeated No. 7 seed Emma Navarro 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 in the previous round. In her typical style, Ostapenko hit 44 winners but also had 21 unforced errors.
A key factor in the match against Swiatek will be break points. Ostapenko converted 6 out of 9 break points against Navarro and saved 14 out of 18.
Head-to-head: 5-0, Ostapenko. They last played in Doha in February, where Ostapenko won 6-3, 6-1.
Looking ahead to the match, Ostapenko said, “I just need to do what I always do: be aggressive and play my game. I’m always ready for a tough match against great players. And she is a great player.”
No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens
Sabalenka is the world No. 1, but she might be slightly disadvantaged because Mertens has already played and won two tough matches.
Sabalenka had a bye and a walkover in the previous rounds, delaying her start in Stuttgart. However, she has a strong head-to-head record against Mertens and a good history at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. Sabalenka’s Stuttgart record is 11-4, and she has reached three finals here.
“I lost three finals against world No. 1s,” she said. “So I thought, ‘OK, I have to do it. I have to come back here as world No. 1.’ Maybe that’s why I’m here.”
Mertens should feel confident about her game. She has reached two finals this year, finishing as runner-up in Hobart and winning in Singapore. After defeating Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the first round, she beat No. 8 seed Diana Shnaider 6-2, 7-6(5).
Head-to-head: 8-2, Sabalenka. Mertens won two of their first three matches in 2018 but has lost the last 7, and hasn`t won a set against Sabalenka since 2020 (0-12 in sets). Sabalenka and Mertens have also won two Grand Slam doubles titles together.
No. 4 Coco Gauff vs. No. 5 Jasmine Paolini
This quarterfinal is another excellent matchup between two top 6 players in the world.
Gauff had a bye and then easily won her first match against Ella Seidel 6-1, 6-1. Paolini defeated two German players, Eva Lys and Jule Niemeier, to reach this stage.
Defense will likely be important in this match. Since they often practice together, they will have a good idea of what to expect from each other.
“I think she’s an incredible mover,” Gauff said about Paolini, “and she has a really strong forehand. Everyone knows Jasmine is a fighter who never gives up on court.”
“It’s going to be a tough match on Saturday, but it will be good preparation for Roland Garros for me.”
Paolini also had positive things to say about Gauff.
“Her shots are so powerful,” Paolini said. “I’m not sure what to expect, but I need to try to be aggressive and control the rallies.”
“But it won’t be easy because she serves well, moves well, and returns well. She’s a very complete player. I have to be ready for every point.”
Head-to-head: 2-0, Gauff. They played in Adelaide in 2021 and Cincinnati in 2023. They have never played on clay.
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth