2021 Italian Open Quarter-Final – Karolina Pliskova vs Jelena Ostapenko Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Karolina Pliskova vs Jelena Ostapenko taking place? Foro Italico, Rome, Italy
When is Karolina Pliskova vs Jelena Ostapenko on and what time does it start? Friday 14th May, 2021 – Not before 11:00 (UK)
What surface is Karolina Pliskova vs Jelena Ostapenko being played on? Clay (outdoor)
Where can I get tickets for Karolina Pliskova vs Jelena Ostapenko? Click here for the latest ticket information
What channel is Karolina Pliskova vs Jelena Ostapenko on? This match will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Karolina Pliskova vs Jelena Ostapenko in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream the match live on Prime Video. Tennis TV subscribers can also stream the match live
THE PREDICTION
World number nine Karolina Pliskova has made the quarter-finals of the Italian Open without dropping a set in solid wins over Ana Sevastova and Vera Zvonareva and she leads 4-3 in a head-to-head record with former Roland-Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko. 29-year-old Pliskova has enjoyed her time here in Rome, winning in 2019 before gut-wrenchingly having to pull out of last season’s final through injury, and the Czech is a difficult player to push off the court when she is in this form. 23-year-old Ostapenko has come through three tough matches against Jo Konta, Ajla Tomljanovic and, on Thursday, Angelique Kerber in three and the Latvian’s energy can be hard to cope with for anyone on tour. The world number 49 is at home on this surface but has lost two of her three clay-court matches with Pliskova, including recently over three sets on clay at the Stuttgart Open. Pliskova’s pedigree at this tournament speaks for itself but this match should be an excellent battle. Take the Czech to win this outright, with loose-cannon Ostapenko capable of anything between bombing or shocking here.
