A blockbuster final awaits at the WTA Palermo Open. This year’s Australian Open runner-up Qinwen Zheng and 2023 French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova will battle for the title in Italy. Both players are among the best to watch in the women’s game, and it should be a great spectacle for the fans. We at LWOT give our analysis and prediction in this article. Who do you think will claim the title in Palermo?
WTA Palermo Final Prediction
Qinwen Zheng vs Karolina Muchova
Head-to-Head: Muchova 1-0 Zheng
Defending champion Zheng has been utterly dominant from her first match. She did not drop a set against Sara Errani, Petra Martic, Jaqueline Cristian, and Diane Parry. Muchova, who is still in the early stages of her recovery from nine months out with an injury, has had to work slightly harder. She played an incredible tiebreak in her opening round against Katarzyna Kawa, eventually taking it 16-14. Muchova then needed three sets to defeat Noma Noha Akugue, before winning two very tight sets on tiebreaks against Astra Sharma. However, the Czech thrashed Irina-Camelia Begu 6-1 6-1 in the semifinal.
Muchova possesses more variety than Zheng. Her excellent drop shot could be effective in this matchup since Zheng often takes her heavy topspin forehand from deep behind the baseline. The French Open runner-up will also hope her formidable forehand can take advantage of the conditions in Palermo, with the clay at the tournament being slightly quicker than most other tournaments.
However, Zheng is favoured to retain her title in Italy. The conditions suit her game absolutely perfectly. Due to the pace of the court, Zheng is able to get free points off her big serve. Her topspin forehand is effective in the bouncy conditions, and she is comfortable taking her backhand on the rise. Also, although the matches in Palermo are being played in the evening to avoid the extreme heat in the city, the courts are still fast and bouncy enough to make Muchova’s drop shot slightly less effective. Overcoming Zheng at a tournament she thrives at may also be a step too far at this stage of the Czech’s return to the sport.
Prediction: Zheng in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
