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Match details
Fixture: Danka Kovinic vs Veronika Kudermetova
Date: 11April 2021
Tournament: Volvo Car Open 2021
Round: Finals
Venue: Charleston, United States
Category: WTA 500
Surface: Green clay
Prize money: $823,000
Match timing: Not before 1 pm local time, 10.30 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Europsort
Danka Kovinic vs Veronika Kudermetova preview
Danka Kovinic continued her solid run at the 2021 Charleston Open by scoring yet another assured win over a seeded player - this time Ons Jabeur - last night. The 26-year-old needed a little over an hour to dismiss the 12th seed and book a spot in her biggest final yet.
Awaiting Kovinic in the summit clash is Russia's Veronika Kudermetova, who herself registered a straight-sets win over the in-form Paula Badosa.
Kudermetova made a strong start to the season, with a first appearance in a final at the Abu Dhabi Open. But she couldn't quite manage to sustain her momentum, and has recorded a few early exits in big tournaments since.
That said, most of her losses this year have come at the hands of quality opponents. Moreover, the Russian did manage to hold her own against the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Daria Kasatkina.
Here in Charleston Kudermetova has had a great opportunity with a rather open-looking draw, and she will be eyeing a first WTA crown.
Danka Kovinic vs Veronika Kudermetova head-to-head
Veronika Kudermetova leads Danka Kovinic in the head-to-head with a slender 1-0 margin. The Russian took the duo's only prior meeting - which came at the 2019 Shenzhen Open - in a hard-fought but straight-sets win.
Danka Kovinic vs Veronika Kudermetova prediction
The gap in the rankings notwithstanding, this match seems to be headed for a close finish. And that's largely due to the sort of form that both players have shown heading into the final.
Danka Kovinic in particular has been impressive in the way she has handled her big matches. Having only won two matches all season prior to Charleston, the Montenegrin has managed an incredible turnaround for herself on the green clay.
Kovinic has always been a great defensive player and mover. But this week she has surprised her opponents with a newfound level of aggression behind her serve and groundstrokes.
The 26-year-old will be up against some big-hitting from Veronika Kudermetova's side of the court, but she has been efficient in dealing with pace all week. Kovinic has the experience to thrive in big situations too; if she can manage to hold her nerve in the tight situations, she might walk away with her first career title on Sunday.
Predictions: Danka Kovinic to win in three sets.
