2021 WTA Finals Group Stage – Barbora Krejcikova vs Karolina Pliskova Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Barbora Krejcikova vs Karolina Pliskova on and what time does it start? Barbora Krejcikova vs Karolina Pliskova will take place on Sunday 14th November, 2021 – not before 20:00 (UK)
Where is Barbora Krejcikova vs Karolina Pliskova taking place? Barbora Krejcikova vs Karolina Pliskova will take place at the Panamerican Tennis Center in Guadalajara, Mexico
What surface is Barbora Krejcikova vs Karolina Pliskova being played on? Barbora Krejcikova vs Karolina Pliskova will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Barbora Krejcikova vs Karolina Pliskova? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Barbora Krejcikova vs Karolina Pliskova
What channel is Barbora Krejcikova vs Karolina Pliskova on? Barbora Krejcikova vs Karolina Pliskova will be televised on the Amazon Prime Video app on smart TVs
Where can I stream Barbora Krejcikova vs Karolina Pliskova? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream Barbora Krejcikova vs Karolina Pliskova live via their platform
THE LOWDOWN
World number three Barbora Krejcikova took the first set against Garbine Muguruza in her second Group game before the Spaniard took control of the key moments of an entertaining battle. The 25-year-old is still within a shout of qualifying for the semi-finals but she would realistically have to beat Karolina Pliskova in straight sets here and hope that Anett Kontaveit does the same to Muguruza in the late match. Krejcikova is going well as the top seed in the doubles, though, alongside Katerina Siniakova with whom she completed the double at Roland-Garros this June just a few hours after winning her first Grand Slam title.
World number four Karolina Pliskova was able to beat Muguruza from a set down in her first WTA Finals group game but she became the latest player to fall foul of red-hot Anett Kontaveit in a straight-sets defeat on Friday. That gives her a decent chance at qualification still if she can beat Krejcikova here and if Kontaveit beats Muguruza in the late game. The 29-year-old made a second career Grand Slam final this summer, losing to world number one Ash Barty in three sets. The former world number one is playing her fifth WTA Finals event and she has qualified for the semi-finals in each of her last three appearances.
THE PREDICTION
Karolina Pliskova was the winner of their only previous tour-level meeting back in 2018 in the first round of Roland-Garros but she has never experienced this version of Barbora Krejcikova. With her back to the wall, the younger Czech looks like playing her best match this week in Guadalajara against Pliskova but the elder player’s experience may well tell in the end. This could be a proper thriller if the pair bring their best game but wildly unpredictable in this, realistically, first meeting between them as players at the very top of the sport. Taking Pliskova to win at least a set as the likeliest of two very capable winners here seems suitably cautious.
