Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

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

Last year’s champion and recent Stuttgart Open champion Petra Kvitová avoided this event, presumably to avoid burnout. Therefore, the 2019 WTA JT Banka Prague Open will see a new champion. However, there is still a strong enough Czech presence for hopes of a home victory. Recent Istanbul Open runner-up Markéta Vondroušová is the #8 seed and carries the host nation’s hopes.

Karolina Pliskova Hoping to Build Clay Form for French Open 2019

World #4 Karolína Plíšková made an eye-catching seasonal clay court debut in Stuttgart last week. It took an inspired and back-to-form Victoria Azarenka to stop her in the quarterfinals. The 27-year-old Czech star will be a firm favourite with the home-crowd. They have enjoyed a home victory in three out of the last four years: Karolina Pliskova is herself a Prague Open champion in 2015. The World #4 begins her Prague Open campaign against world #88 Mona Barthel. Karolina Pliskova leads the head-to-head over Barthel 2-1, incorporating a 2014 clay victory at

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.

Post Views: 16

Share:

More Posts

Send Us A Message