The stage is set for a fascintating final at the WTA Rouen Open. Elina Svitolina hopes to win an outstanding 18th career title, while Olga Danilovic seeks a third. We here at LWOT offer our preview and prediction for the final, but which player do you think will win the title?
WTA Rouen Final Prediction
Elina Svitolina vs Olga Danilovic
Head-to-head: first meeting
The players had differing routes to the final. Svitolina has not yet dropped a set in beateing Jil Teichmann, Anhelina Kalinina, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, and Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Danilovic had to battle much harder to reach a fourth career final. She needed three sets to overcome Aleksandra Krunic, Linda Fruhvirtova, and Moyuka Uchijima before beating Suzan Lamens more comfortably in the final.
Clay is Danilovic’s best surface by far, regardless of who the opponent is, but what helps Svitolina in this matchup – despite clay not being her best surface – is that WTA Rouen is played indoors, removing the role of the elements. Danilovic could have gained some advantage from her ability to control her heavy topspin forehand well in the wind. The certainty surrounding the conditions has helped Svitolina produce superb tennis in the opening four rounds in Rouen.
Svitolina’s all-around game is undoubtedly superior to Danilovic’s. The Serbian needs to have repeated success with her left-handed forehand into Svitolina’s backhand. Neither of the Ukrainian’s groundstrokes is exactly a weakness, but the backhand is the less formidable side, which might offer Danilovic some hope. The performance against Lamens was also her best of the tournament, which should give the third seed in Rouen some confidence.
However, Svitolina remains the favourite to win another WTA title. Danilovic’s clay court prowess, when her game clicks, and the adjustment Svitolina needs to make against a left-handed opponent could make the match more competitive than her previous four rounds. But those factors are unlikely to be enough to stop the three-time Grand Slam semifinalist triumphing.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
