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18.11.21 - 02:30 CET
WTA - SINGLES: Finals - Guadalajara (World) - Play Offs, hard - Final
Kontaveit was the last player to qualify for the Tournament of Champions thanks to her excellent form at the end of the season, winning four tournaments in Cleveland, Ostrava, Moscow and Cluj between August and October. She added a quarter-final in Indian Wells. She continued her excellent performance at the Champions Tournament, where she was assured of advancing to the semi-finals after two matches, beating Krejcikova 6:3, 6:4 and Pliskova 6:4, 6:0. She lost the third match twice 4:6 to Muguruza, but by then she was already assured of advancing, so theoretically she didn't have to play at 100%. In the semifinals Kontaveit defeated Sakkari 6:1, 3:6, 6:3. Kontaveit plays very fast tennis, usually doesn't wait for anything and attacks, so the environment in Guadalajara suits her well. The high altitude speeds up her shots a lot.
Muguruza especially had a great start to the season, then struggled a bit and then played decently again at the end of the year. But she can't compare to Kontaveit's results. She won the title in Chicago, but apart from that she played "only" the 1/8-finals in Cincinnati and at the US Open, the 2nd round at Indian Wells and the quarterfinals in Moscow, with a free draw in the 1st rounds. Here in Guadalajara, Muguruza lost in three sets to Pliskova and defeated Krejcikova in three sets. She then beat Kontaveit at the end of the group. I already wrote about the Estonian's motivation. In the semifinals, Muguruza then gave a very good performance against Badose, who, on the other hand, did not play very well, perhaps feeling a bit sorry for her participation in the semifinals on her debut at the Champions Tournament.
I believe that Kontaveit is not in danger in the final, the Estonian has made 5 finals this year, winning 4 of them. Muguruza has been in the final 4 times this year and won twice. Matches are 3:2 for Muguruza. These two met recently back in Moscow and Kontaveit won clearly twice 6-1 in fast indoor conditions. I think the Estonian was far from her best in their last match against Muguruza, she knew she could still play Muguruza in tournament, so she didn't want to reveal all her cards. Plus, she might have subconsciously been saving herself from maybe getting injured. In the final I favour Estonian player, who rarely loses when she is the favourite in a match.
My bet:
Anett Kontaveit @ 1.72 (bet365)
WTA - SINGLES: Finals - Guadalajara (World) - Play Offs, hard - Final
Kontaveit was the last player to qualify for the Tournament of Champions thanks to her excellent form at the end of the season, winning four tournaments in Cleveland, Ostrava, Moscow and Cluj between August and October. She added a quarter-final in Indian Wells. She continued her excellent performance at the Champions Tournament, where she was assured of advancing to the semi-finals after two matches, beating Krejcikova 6:3, 6:4 and Pliskova 6:4, 6:0. She lost the third match twice 4:6 to Muguruza, but by then she was already assured of advancing, so theoretically she didn't have to play at 100%. In the semifinals Kontaveit defeated Sakkari 6:1, 3:6, 6:3. Kontaveit plays very fast tennis, usually doesn't wait for anything and attacks, so the environment in Guadalajara suits her well. The high altitude speeds up her shots a lot.
Muguruza especially had a great start to the season, then struggled a bit and then played decently again at the end of the year. But she can't compare to Kontaveit's results. She won the title in Chicago, but apart from that she played "only" the 1/8-finals in Cincinnati and at the US Open, the 2nd round at Indian Wells and the quarterfinals in Moscow, with a free draw in the 1st rounds. Here in Guadalajara, Muguruza lost in three sets to Pliskova and defeated Krejcikova in three sets. She then beat Kontaveit at the end of the group. I already wrote about the Estonian's motivation. In the semifinals, Muguruza then gave a very good performance against Badose, who, on the other hand, did not play very well, perhaps feeling a bit sorry for her participation in the semifinals on her debut at the Champions Tournament.
I believe that Kontaveit is not in danger in the final, the Estonian has made 5 finals this year, winning 4 of them. Muguruza has been in the final 4 times this year and won twice. Matches are 3:2 for Muguruza. These two met recently back in Moscow and Kontaveit won clearly twice 6-1 in fast indoor conditions. I think the Estonian was far from her best in their last match against Muguruza, she knew she could still play Muguruza in tournament, so she didn't want to reveal all her cards. Plus, she might have subconsciously been saving herself from maybe getting injured. In the final I favour Estonian player, who rarely loses when she is the favourite in a match.
My bet:
Anett Kontaveit @ 1.72 (bet365)
