Noma Noha Akugue and Guiomar Maristany Zuleta De Reales contest the WTA Montreux semifinal on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 12:30 UTC. The market sees little between them; the useful distinction is that Akugue has improved through the week while Maristany has had to keep repairing matches.
Akugue sharpens as Maristany spends
Akugue's 6-1, 7-6(7) quarterfinal win over No. 194 Anastasiia Sobolieva was her cleanest performance in Montreux. Her serve settled after an uncertain opening round, and her return denied Sobolieva any comfortable rhythm.
Maristany followed a three-and-a-half-hour battle with Martina Trevisan by beating Clara Burel 6-3, 1-6, 6-1. The reset was impressive, as was her return pressure, but consecutive deciding sets are not ideal preparation for another clay-court examination. The legs do eventually receive the schedule.
The half-game rests on recovery
Akugue can use the wide left-handed serve on the advantage court and work her crosscourt forehand into Maristany's backhand. Taking the ball early matters: prolonged neutral rallies would allow Maristany to turn resilience into control.
The previous clay meeting also went to Akugue, and she arrives fresher, serving better and closing sets with more authority than earlier in the summer. The half-game requires a positive game margin, but odds 1.86 compensate for that extra condition.
Prediction: Noma Noha Akugue −0.5 games, odds 1.86
