WTA Prague Open Preview – Karolina and Kristyna Pliskova lead home charge; Iga Swiatek is a Challenger

Karolina and Kristyna Pliskova sit on Opposite Sides of the Prague Open Draw

A mouthwatering prospect of a fifth final (including ITF level meetings) between the Pliskova sisters will grab the hopes and expectations of the home crowd. In fact, the pair last played against each other in the 2013 Eastbourne final. Krystina Pliskova won her only WTA title by winning that encounter. The head-to-head reads 6-4 in Karolina’s favour, but many will argue that an 11th meeting is long overdue.

Kristyna Pliskova made a decent start to the clay season, making the semifinals of the Samsung Open in Lugano. Disappointingly, she only picked up one game against the highly touted Iga Swiatek. All the same, it provides some hope for a Pliskova sisters final. Kristyna Pliskova starts off against dogged Russian Natalia Vikhlyantseva. The Czech player leads the head-to-head 1-0, courtesy of a clay victory in the 2018 Madrid Masters. Kristyna Pliskova will be confident of making a winning start to her Czech Open bid. A potential 2nd round match against#2 seeded clay courter Anastasija Sevastova awaits.

Iga Swiatek Looking Strong in Qualifying

Poland’s Iga Swiatek clay season is progressing nicely – reaching the final at the WTA Samsung open before losing in a tense battle to Polona Hercog. A 40-6 win-loss clay record over the past two seasons shows an affinity for the surface. Last season, a lot of the Pole’s time was spent on the ITF circuit honing her craft and gaining experience.

Swiatek, if successful in her final qualifying match against Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch, could be a really dangerous floater in the main draw.

WTA Prague Open 2019 Promises to be Competitive

A strong field is assembled for this event. Players will be fiercely trying to build clay form a head of key events at Rome, Madrid, and Roland Garros.