Monterrey Open 2022: Elina Svitolina vs Camila Osorio preview, head-to-head & prediction

Match details

Fixture: (1) Elina Svitolina vs (5) Camila Osorio.

Tournament: Monterrey Open.

Date: 4 March 2022.

Round: Quarterfinals.

Venue: Monterrey, Mexico.

Category: WTA 250.

Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt.

Match timing: Not before 7 pm local time, 1 am GMT, 8 pm EST, 6.30 am IST.

Prize money: $235,238.

Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video.

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Elina Svitolina vs Camila Osorio preview

Top seed Elina Svitolina will meet 20-year-old Camila Osorio at the Monterrey Open on Friday, with a semifinal berth up for grabs.

Svitolina has had quite a disappointing season so far. After struggling in five events, the World No. 15 finally managed to reach her first quarterfinal of the season in Monterrey.

Svitolina's campaign in Mexico, however, made the news for reasons other than tennis. Ahead of her first-round match against Russia's Anastasia Potapova, the Ukrainian made it clear that she would only play Russians and Belarusians if they turned up as neutral athletes.

Svitolina's request was acceded, following which she breezed into the second round with a commanding 6-2, 6-1 win over Potapova. Her second-round match turned out to be more difficult, but she managed to come up with clutch tennis to record a 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-2 win over Bulgarian qualifier Viktoriya Tomova.

Svitolina's next opponent is the rapidly-rising Colombian Camila Osoria, who made a splash last year by winning her maiden WTA title at home in Bogota. The 2019 junior US Open champion also finished as runner-up in Tenerife, in addition to making a couple of semifinals on the tour in 2021.

After a first-round exit at the Australian Open this year, the 20-year-old has rebounded with back-to-back quarterfinals in Guadalajara and Monterrey. The fifth-seeded Osorio is yet to drop a set in two rounds in Monterrey, earning wins against Magdalena Frech and Marcela Zacarias.

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Elina Svitolina vs Camila Osorio head-to-head

Camila Osorio in action at 2022 Australian Open

Camila Osorio has a 1-0 lead in the head-to-head against Elina Svitolina. Osorio edged the Ukrainian 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 in their only meeting so far in Tenerife last year.

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Elina Svitolina vs Camila Osorio prediction

Svitolina strikes the ball during a match in Dubai earlier this year.

Svitolina has the edge in terms of rankings and experience, but Osorio could make it tough for the Ukrainian. The 5'4'' Colombian has decent speed and footwork around the court. She also has an efficient backhand slice with which she can disrupt her opponents' rhythm.

Although Osorio likes to play with a lot of topspin, having grown up on clay, the youngster can flatten it out when presented with an opportunity. The World No. 44 also won their previous encounter, so she knows what to bring to the court to trouble a counterpuncher like Svitolina.

That said, the Ukrainian is playing with extra motivation this week following Russia's invasion of her country. Svitolina has pledged to donate her prize money from all her tournaments to Ukraine's military.

The 27-year-old's determination was evident in her second-round match when she inspired herself to produce her best under pressure against Tomova.

Svitolina generally struggles against big-hitters and Osorio's lack of power could work to the Ukrainian's advantage. The Colombian is also guilty of resorting to moonballing when pushed hard. This could open the door for the former champion to secure the win and make her way back into the last four.

Prediction: Elina Svitolina to win in three sets.