The first night session match of the 2021 WTA Finals in Guadalajara will be contested by Karolina Pliskova and Garbine Muguruza. Pliskova and Muguruza are the two most experienced players in the eight-woman field having each played at the WTA Finals on multiple occasions. Pliskova has dominated this match-up, the Czech holds a commanding 8-2 H2H record over the Spaniard, will Pliskova mastery of this match-up continue on Wednesday night?
WTA Finals Day 1 Prediction
Karolina Pliskova vs Garbine Muguruza
Head-t0-head: Pliskova 8-2 Muguruza
Pliskova had some terrific results between making the Wimbledon final and reaching the US Open quarterfinals. However, her most recent match ended in an embarrassing loss to Beatriz Haddad-Maia in the third round of Indian Wells almost a month ago. Pliskova is making her fifth consecutive appearance at the WTA Finals, the best record of any player in the field.
By contrast, Muguruza’s form over the last few months hasn’t been great. An 8-5 win/loss record since Wimbledon isn’t too impressive. The Spaniard is always capable of raising her level for big events, a 2-time major champion with experience at the season ending championships. The former world number one will need find her game quickly in Guadalajara if she is to get off to winning start against an opponent she has previously struggled against.
Pliskova has won seven of the last eight meetings between the pair, including a pair of straight set victories in their most recent matches. Pliskova won 6-3 6-1 at the Australian Open in 2019 in their latest clash. That said, the head-to-head record between the pair is misleading, Muguruza is certainly very capable in this match-up and is arguably the better player overall.
In fact, Muguruza might just have the edge on this occasion. These conditions should suit her and, despite the negative head-to-head record, Muguruza’s more dynamic game has a higher ceiling. In short, her best is better. Pliskova is definitely more consistent but is vulnerable on a slower hard court and has a tendency to struggle in big matches. The opposite is true of Muguruza who usually raises her level on the big stage.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
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