The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart is set for an exciting Saturday as all of the top 5 seeds, including five of the world`s top six players, are ready to compete in the quarterfinals.

World No. 2 Iga Swiatek stands out with an impressive record in Stuttgart. She has won 11 out of 12 matches here, securing titles in both 2022 and 2023, each time defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

Swiatek commented, “I am definitely proud of my past successes here. Returning to Stuttgart brings back good memories, but I need to concentrate on the matches ahead.”

Her focus will be crucial as she faces Jelena Ostapenko in a highly anticipated quarterfinal. Ostapenko has been a challenging opponent for Swiatek historically, holding a 5-0 record against her. However, a key factor this time is that they have never played on clay, Swiatek`s preferred and dominant surface.

Looking at the other quarterfinals:

Jessica Pegula vs. Ekaterina Alexandrova

This match features two WTA 500 champions from this year and is expected to be closely contested. Pegula recently won in Charleston, while Alexandrova claimed the Linz title in February. In their recent Charleston semifinal, Pegula narrowly defeated Alexandrova in three sets.

Pegula acknowledged the difficulty of their matchups, stating, “Our matches are always intense battles. It`s hard to predict what will happen on Saturday.”

Alexandrova finds the indoor conditions in Stuttgart favorable, similar to Linz. She believes that managing expectations helps her perform better, a strategy that aided her victories over Karolina Muchova in Linz and the rising star Mirra Andreeva.

Their head-to-head record is tied at 2-2, with Pegula winning both clay court encounters.

Iga Swiatek vs. Jelena Ostapenko

Despite Swiatek`s strong clay court record, she emphasizes that adapting from hard courts to clay requires adjustment. “It’s not automatic success just because it’s clay,” Swiatek explained. “I need time to adjust, even though I feel confident on this surface.”

Ostapenko, known for her aggressive play, defeated Emma Navarro in her previous match. Her ability to convert break points and play aggressively will be key against Swiatek.

Ostapenko leads their head-to-head 5-0, including a win in Doha earlier this year.

Ostapenko stated about facing Swiatek, “I need to maintain my aggressive style and be ready for a tough fight against a top player.”

Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka enters the quarterfinals with less match play compared to Mertens, who has already secured two wins in Stuttgart. Sabalenka received a bye and benefited from a withdrawal, delaying her tournament start. However, she has a strong history in Stuttgart, having reached three finals, and a dominant head-to-head record against Mertens.

Sabalenka reflected on her past finals in Stuttgart, “Having lost three finals here to World No. 1s, I feel like it’s time to win this title as the top-ranked player.”

Mertens has had a solid year, reaching two finals and winning the title in Singapore. She is coming off a win against Diana Shnaider in the previous round.

Sabalenka dominates their head-to-head at 8-2. Mertens` last win against Sabalenka was in 2018, and she has lost all sets played against her since 2020. Interestingly, they have also won two Grand Slam doubles titles together.

Coco Gauff vs. Jasmine Paolini

This quarterfinal is a clash between two top 6 players, promising a high-quality match. Gauff had a comfortable win in her opening match after a bye, while Paolini defeated two German players to reach this stage.

Both players are known for their defensive skills, and their familiarity from practicing together adds another layer to this matchup.

Gauff praised Paolini’s movement and fighting spirit, saying, “Jasmine is an incredible mover with a strong forehand. She’s a fighter who never gives up. This match will be good preparation for Roland Garros.”

Paolini acknowledged Gauff’s power and all-around game, stating, “Coco is a very complete player, serving and returning well, and moving great. I need to be aggressive and try to control the points.”

Gauff leads their head-to-head 2-0, although they have never played on clay before.