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After three days of sizzling action we arrive on the fourth day of the 2015 WTA Finals Singapore where former champion Petra Kvitova will look to notch up her first win at this Championships. Also looking to continue her winning streak is the new World No. 3 Garbine Muguruza. Here is our preview of the two singles matches in the White Group on Day 3:
(4) Petra Kvitova v (8) Lucie Safarova
Head-To-Head: Kvitova leads Safarova 7-0
2015 WTA Finals record: Both looking for their first win
The start to the 2015 WTA Finals for Petra Kvitova did not go as she would have liked. The 2011 champion put in a listless performance versus fellow lefty Angelique Kerber that resulted in a 6-2, 7-6(3) win for the German. If Petra needed a chance to redeem herself after that, there couldn’t be any better than this.
The two-time Wimbledon winner now faces her compatriot and fellow lefty Lucie Safarova against whom Kvitova has a lifetime record of 7-0. Petra’s career record against fellow lefties is equally impressive, with the 25-year-old holding a 32-8 edge. And when she is pitted against her fellow countrywomen, Kvitova is simply the best.
The former World No. 2 is currently on a 15-match winning streak against fellow Czech players. Clearly, this should be music to Petra’s ears.
However, Kvitova cannot hope to be complacent. Safarova did take her to three sets in their only meeting this year at the New Haven final. Since the start of the 2014 season, Safarova has met Kvitova six times out of which, thrice it has gone the distance. Quite obviously, the 28-year-old is playing her junior compatriot tough these days.
Kvitova’s recent battle with mononucleosis too has left her robbed of some of her usual sharpness and energy. So, it definitely would not be an easy one to deal with.
However, Safarova too hasn’t been in the best shape coming to the Championships. The 28-year-old, who enjoyed a stellar mid-season, having reached the finals at the French Open final and New Haven, suffered from an abdominal tear and a severe bacterial infection that left her hospitalized.
The Doha champion is now gradually making her way back to top level tennis once again. She is showing sparks but is still not able to sustain the brilliance as shown in her 3-6, 6-7 defeat to Muguruza on Monday.
That just might be the bane for Safarova against Kvitova who seems to elevate her game a notch higher in pressure situations when the two Czechs play each other. Besides, Kvitova is far more experienced at this level than Safarova who is making her debut.
Pick: Kvitova in three sets
(2) Garbine Muguruza v (6) Angelique Kerber
Head-To-Head: Series tied 3-3
2015 WTA Finals record: Both won their first round robin matches
Garbine Muguruza’s effortless power and big-hitting groundstrokes off both the wings are the antidote for Angelique Kerber’s uber-defensive game. And the results corroborate this – Kerber has lost her last three encounters to the third-ranked Spaniard, with their most recent encounter finishing in straight sets in the semi-finals of Wuhan.
This is a tough proposition for the left-handed German. If Kerber had hoped that making her WTA Finals singles debut would turn Muguruza into a bundle of nerves, then the German is mistaken. For, the Spaniard seems to be totally prepared and is thriving under pressure, as evidenced by her 6-3, 7-6(4) win over Lucie Safarova in her first match on Monday.
Beijing champion Muguruza is simply carrying off from where she left right before coming to the Championships and would surely like to continue in the same vein.
However, Kerber can surely make things difficult. 2015 is one of her most consistent seasons in which she has won four titles on three different surfaces. Except Serena Williams, there is no one else who has won as many matches as the German this season, who is gunning for her 54th victory. Besides, her 6-2, 7-6(3) win over Kvitova in the opening round robin match must have boosted her confidence further.
Despite all this, getting an outright win over Muguruza might still be difficult for the World No. 9 as the Spaniard looks determined and calm and doesn’t back off from her ruthless attack even if the match goes the distance.
Pick: Muguruza in three sets
