Damien Kayat previews selected ATP quarterfinals from the Lyon Open at the Palais des Sports Gerland.
Caroline Garcia (37/20) vs Alison Van Uytvanck (7) (42/100)
This will be a clash between two players desperately in search of some form. Caroline Garcia was once ranked as high as number four in the world. There has been a massive gulf between her ability and results over the past few years. She has tended to physically wilt when the going has gotten tough. But the hardcourt specialist has looked much more at ease this week, perhaps benefitting from playing in front of generous home support. This will be her 2nd quarterfinal of the year after Sydney. She has also endured her fair share of underwhelming first-round exits this year. But I think her victory over Simona Halep in Dubai last week has given her some much-needed confidence, reminding her of the player that she can be. She has already beaten top seed Giorgi this week, with her big first-serve allowing her to dictate proceedings. Could this be the beginning of a mini resurgence for Garcia?
Seeded 7th this week, the 27-year-old Belgian has arguably had a worse year than Garcia. She entered this year’s Lyon Open with a main-draw win-loss record of 2-4. That doesn’t take into account the fact that she couldn’t get through qualifying in Adelaide. But Van Uytvanck is a battle-hardened competitor who has a real penchant for indoor hardcourts. Four of her five titles have come in indoor conditions. That includes back-to-back Hungarian Ladies Open titles in 2018 and 2019. She also has a respectable history in this event, reaching the semi-final stage of the 2020 Lyon Open. She has looked serene this week, dropping just nine games in two straight-set victories.
The Verdict: Garcia to win at 37/20- This will be their 3rd career meeting. Garcia won the first meeting between the two during the 2019 Fed Cup. Van Uytvanck avenged that defeat in this very event in 2020, beating her comfortably in straight sets. This really feels like it could go either way. I’m probably inclined to lean towards the Belgian. But 37/20 looks too inviting for Garcia (especially after she beat top seed Camelia Giorgi). It’s great value for a coin flip situation. I’m also counting on the home support to bolster her chances.
Sorana Cirstea (2) (24/100) vs Anna Bondar (29/10)
Romanian Sorana Cirstea is now the ostensible favourite to win this title following top seed Camelia Giorgi’s exit. In what seems to be a trend in this week’s quarterfinalists, Cirstea hasn’t exactly set the world on fire this year. This will actually be her first WTA quarterfinal of the year. Cirstea has been a consistent performer on the tour for some time. She has never really possessed the artillery to consistently compete amongst the world’s elite. But she moves well and counterpunches intelligently. It’s little surprise that her best results have come on clay. A former French Open quarterfinalist, Cirstea actually enjoyed a banner clay-court season in 2021. She won her 2nd WTA title in Istanbul before reaching the Strasbourg final. It’s hard to tell just how well she is playing: she has beaten two qualifiers thus far. She has returned like a beast this week, amassing 28 break-point opportunities in just two matches. But she will need to improve on her serve. She was broken three times last time out against Voegele.
24-year-old Hungarian Anna Bondar is also playing in her first main-draw quarterfinal of the year. Her poor form has come as quite a surprise following a rousing end to the 2021 campaign (albeit at a slightly lower level than this). She won three lower-level titles from September to December. This comprised of two ITF titles and a WTA 125K title at the Argentina Open. One would have thought she would have kicked on this year. She has a big serve that can earn plenty of cheap points. But she also tends to spray unforced errors at crucial junctures. She was outplaying Katie Boulter in her last match before the Brit was forced to withdrawal. Like Cirstea, much of Bondar’s success has come on clay.
The Verdict: Cirstea to win in three sets at 3/1- Cirstea won their only encounter in three sets at the 2019 Hungarian Open. She has a much finer pedigree than Bondar and will go into this match as the clear favourite. But her serving has been erratic and Bondar will feel fresh after a condensed round of 16 match against Boulter. But I still think that Cirstea’s courtcraft will guide her to a tough victory. I think 3/1 for a three-set Cirstea victory is the best option here.
