Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Barbora Krejcikova, will play their second round-robin match on day 4 of the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Two great matches will take place and the pressure will be on Pegula and Krejcikova to open their account. Swiatek and Gauff will square off to potentially secure their place in the semifinals. As always, we at LWOT will offer our predictions for both matches. But who will win?
WTA Finals Day 4 Predictions
Jessica Pegula vs Barbora Krejcikova
Head-to-Head: Pegula 1-1 Krejcikova
Last year’s finalist, Jessica Pegula didn’t get off to a good start as she lost in straight sets to Coco Gauff in her first match. Pegula’s body language looked off and was not at her usual sharpness. The American hasn’t looked at her best since the US Open and the fluidity behind her forehand has disappeared. This is a must-win match for her, but so is for her opponent.
Barbora Krejcikova has been in terrible form leading up to the Finals and that lack of confidence showed against Iga Swiatek. The Wimbledon champion was a set and double break up against Swiatek in the first match but couldn’t hold on to the lead and collapsed mentally in the second set. However, she can still take some positives from the first set and apply that against Pegula. These two have shared the head-to-head and I think this will be a close match. But I am leaning slightly towards Pegula.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Coco Gauff
Head-to-Head: Swiatek 11-1 Gauff
The defending champion, Iga Swiatek made one of her special comebacks and defeated Krejcikova in the first round-robin match. Swiatek played after a long gap and was rusty in the beginning by her own admission. But she got better and better as the match progressed and her return of serve was exceptional in the third set. This is a big match for Swiatek as her loss will guarantee the year-end No. 1 to Aryna Sabalenka.
Coco Gauff rolled through Jessica Pegula and the highlight was her serve. She made just two double faults in the entire match, which is a big deal. It was not the cleanest performance as she made some unforced errors but it was much better than Pegula. Gauff has been in scintillating form and she will need every bit of confidence to beat Swiatek. The head-to-head record is against her completely, but with Iga short of matches, this seems like a great chance for the American to get one up on her rival. The fast court will also help her serve.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
