The final match from the Teotihuacán group sees a determined Garbine Muguruza take on the red-hot Anett Kontaveit. The Estonian has already secured her spot in the semi-finals after winning her first few matches of the tournament in straight sets. Meanwhile, Muguruza still has everything to play for having recorded one win and one loss thus far in Guadalajara. The equation for Muguruza’s progression to the semi-finals will be based on the result of the first match of the day between Karolina Pliskova and Barbora Krejcikova. Can the Spaniard join Kontaveit in the semi-finals?
WTA Finals Day 5 Predictions
Garbine Muguruza vs Anett Kontaveit
Head-to-head: Muguruza 2-2 Kontaveit
Muguruza is battling hard in Guadalajara. The Spaniard just came up short in her first match of the week, losing to Karolina Pliskova in a final set tiebreaker, a match that could have easily ended in her favour. The former world number one responded well as she battled from a set down to defeat Barbora Krejcikova 2-6 6-3 6-4 to keep her semi-final chances alive. Muguruza is enjoying great crowd support this week in Mexico, definitely a factor that she can use in her favour.
Kontaveit is in the form of her life, a 12-match winning streak makes Kontaveit the form player on tour right now. Kontaveit arrives in Guadalajara fresh from back-to-back triumphs in Moscow and Cluj-Napoca and has shown no signs of letting up in her WTA finals debut. Kontaveit started the week with a 6-3 6-4 win over Barbora Krejcikova before defeating Karolina Pliskova 6-4 6-0. It will be interesting to see how Kontaveit manages this match given she has already advanced to the semi-finals.
The head-to-head record between the pair is split at two wins apiece. However, Kontaveit has the psychological edge having thrashed Muguruza 6-1 6-1 in their most recent clash in Moscow a few weeks ago. Expect a closer match in Guadalajara.
It’s hard to pick against Kontaveit at the moment, she just keeps on winning, and winning comfortably. Nevertheless, this could be the spot where her winning run comes to an end. The fact that Kontaveit is already into the next stage must be a factor, she doesn’t have to win this match, Muguruza does. Muguruza has played her first few matches during the night session, whilst Kontaveit has played both of her matches during the day session.
This match will be played during the night session, where Muguruza is used to the conditions and will have the strong support from the crowd. Muguruza looks very motivated at the moment; it feels like a big win may be coming her way, she has the game to beat anyone when she is motivated and playing well.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
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