And then there were two. Anett Kontaveit and Ekaterina Alexandrova are the last women standing in Moscow. Each has played brilliant tennis this week and is thoroughly deserving of their spot in the final. Both players are aggressive from the baseline and enjoy playing attacking tennis, so this match should be a great watch for any tennis fan. As ever, we take a look at who should emerge the victor in our WTA Kremlin Cup finals prediction.
WTA Kremlin Cup Finals Prediction
Anett Kontaveit vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-head: 1 – 0 Kontaveit
Picking a favourite on paper isn’t hard here. Kontaveit is 20 – 3 since the end of Cincinnati and has picked up two titles in that space of time. Both of those wins were on hard courts and she has looked pretty close to unstoppable over the last two months. She has great power off both wings and a dangerous serve that has been more reliable than usual. If that remains the case and she can manage her error count, she will be very tough to beat. She dismantled Garbine Muguruza in the quarterfinals and was similarly clinical against Marketa Vondrousova in the semifinals. If she is at that level again she will win, but she will have her hands full with Alexandrova and may well need that level to take the title.
The Russian has been superb this week in her home country. She benefited from Maria Sakkari’s withdrawal after five games in the semifinals. However, after beating top seed Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets nobody can argue with her deserving a shot at the title. Alexandrova is similarly aggressive and powerful off both wings. Her serve is more potent but less consistent than Kontaveit’s and that may well be a deciding factor here. Alexandrova is a great player who has had a quiet year and is due a run. By contrast, Kontaveit is on cloud nine at the moment and must come down to earth at some stage. Meeting an in-form Alexandrova in her home tournament may well just be what knocks her off her perch.
This match will likely go the distance. I’m giving the edge to the Russian because I think she has room to improve whereas Kontaveit’s level can only drop from where it’s been over the last two months. The Russian should be able to ensure the trophy stays at home for the next twelve months.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
