Tennis Thursday: Abrams picks the WTA Eastbourne quarters – Kerber vs Halep, Bertens vs Sabalenka, Pliskova vs Alexandrova, Cornet vs Javeur

Nature Valley International
aka WTA Eastbourne
Eastbourne, Great Britain
Women’s Friday Singles

Angie Kerber over Simona Halep
Halep was her usual self in needing three sets but beating Petra Hercog in the second round because she never lets up. But Angie Kerber is playing better than Halep at this point. I’ve believed for two years now that Halep is the best competitor on the WTA Tour, but no matter how hard you fight, it’s awfully hard to win when your opponent is better.

Kiki Bertens over Aryna Sabalenka
I stopped watching the Sabalenka-Wozniacki match early in the third when the Dashing Dane appeared to have the match in hand. I’m very surprised to say the least, that Sabalenka won that match, but ultimately it will be a sand pebble in the WTA universe, as she will go down to the red-hot Kiki Bertens, who is a legitimate contender next week in London.

Karolina Pliskova over Ekaterina Alexandrova
Alexandrova has had two good wins and then received a retirement from Ostapenko in the Round of 16. Her run is over. Pliskova, who is also a contender for the Wimbledon crown, should run her around until she falls down, dead.

Alize Cornet over Ons Jabeur
Jabeur got a great draw, being a great beneficiary of Ash Barty withdrawing after winning last week. Her win over Johanna Konta was well earned, also, but her fifteen minutes of fame are over. She’ll go down to Alize Cornet, the smooth Frenchwoman who eased past Elina Svetlina in the second round. Cornet may not win Wimbledon, but she’s got a decent chance here in Eastbourne.