Day 5 at the WTA 1000 in Madrid will see all eight matches from the top half of the draw being played, with some of the world’s best players taking the court, including current US Open champion and 2022 Roland Garros finalist Coco Gauff. It should be a day full of exciting action and plenty of tight matches, and we predict all of them–split between this and a separate article.
WTA Madrid Day 5 Predictions
Madison Keys vs Liudmila Samsonova
Head-to-head: Keys 2-1 Samsonova
This should be an extremely close match between two players who are very close in both ranking and ability. Neither has been playing particularly well in 2024 so far and both are trying to get a big result to get their season back on track. All three of their previous matchups were extremely close as well, so this is a very tough match to call.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Jelena Ostapenko vs Maria Lourdes Carle
Head-to-head: first meeting
Carle has been playing really well here in Madrid, going past qualifying and winning her first two main draw rounds without dropping a single set in those four matches. That said, Ostapenko is a huge step up in level; while Carle might put up some resistance, it’s very difficult to see her get past the world #10.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Leylah Fernandez vs Ons Jabeur
Head-to-head: Jabeur 2-0 Fernandez
Fernandez undoubtedly has a lot of potential, but she hasn’t really delivered on it much after her shocking run to the US Open final in 2021. Jabeur, on the other hand, is one of the world’s best players and although she often comes up short in big finals she did win Madrid back in 2022, her only big title to date. Fernandez won’t be an easy opponent, but it should be Jabeur coming through here in the end.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Coco Gauff vs Dayana Yastremska
Head-to-head: first meeting
After Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff is arguably the main favorite for Roland Garros. The young American seems destined to a great career and she has proved to be extremely comfortable on clay. She looked ominous in her first match here in Madrid as she double bagelled Rus in 52 minutes and showed that she will be very tough to stop this clay season.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
