Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Kamilla Rakhimova

WTA Eastbourne – Quarterfinal Preview

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Kamilla Rakhimova

Date: 26 June 2025 | Time: 17:30 CEST
Surface: Grass | Location: Eastbourne

🧠 Form & Context

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
🧭 2025 has been choppy: 8–8 overall, but a QF run at the Australian Open showed top-level flashes.
✅ Grass comfort returning: Straight-set wins over Tomova and Birrell this week—timing looks sharp.
🏆 Proven pedigree: Former world No. 11, 10 WTA titles, and a 2021 Roland Garros finalist.
📍 Eastbourne history: Just 3 MD wins here since a 2012 QF—this is her best chance in over a decade.

Kamilla Rakhimova
🔁 Qualifying surge: Three wins to reach main draw, then toppled Cocciaretto and Stearns; 6–2 on grass this month.
🎯 Confidence builder: First WTA 500 QF since 2022; effective with early timing and kicker serves wide.
🧱 Volume hitter: Topspin-heavy forehand jumps off the surface—disrupts rhythm even on grass.
⚠️ Consistency gap: 15–19 overall in 2025; belief surges on grass, but prone to unravel in tight sets.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This will be decided by who gets the first-strike rhythm going. Pavlyuchenkova’s flat baseline patterns aim to expose Rakhimova’s shorter backhand backswing, while the Russian qualifier looks to stretch points with looping forehands and movement-based angles.

Key battlegrounds:
• Ad-court exchanges – Pavs' BH crosscourt vs Rakhimova’s jumping forehand.
• Return stats – Pavlyuchenkova has broken 42% of return games on grass the last two weeks; Rakhimova has saved 68% of break points here.
• Experience edge – Pavlyuchenkova has played 60+ tour QFs; Rakhimova just her fourth.
• Fatigue factor – Fifth match in six days for Rakhimova, while Pavs is fresher but not yet peak-fit post-injury.

🔮 Prediction

Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3 sets – Rakhimova’s form makes it a battle, but Anastasia’s clean power and experience in clutch moments should carry her through. Expect swings, but veteran savvy to win out.