'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Match details
Fixture: (1) Ons Jabeur vs Danka Kovinic
Date: 17 April 2021
Tournament: MUSC Health Women's Open 2021
Round: Semifinals
Venue: Charleston, United States
Category: WTA 250
Surface: Green clay
Prize money: $235,238
Match timing: Not before 2 pm local time, 11.30 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Europsort
Ons Jabeur vs Danka Kovinic preview
The semifinals of the newly-minted MUSC Health Women's Open 2021 on Saturday will see Ons Jabeur and Danka Kovinic clash for the second time in as many weeks.
Jabeur suffered a straight-sets defeat at the hands of her opponent just a few days ago, and will enter this contest looking for revenge. She will also be keen to make it to the summit clash of another WTA event, a feat she has accomplished only once in her career.
Kovinic, meanwhile, is in the midst of a purple patch of sorts, having played her best tennis on the green clay of Charleston last week. She is fresh off a first WTA 500 final at the Volvo Car Open, and will be keen to keep her momentum going.
The Montenegrin has notched up big wins over the likes of Petra Kvitova, Yulia Putintseva and Jabeur herself over the past couple of weeks. She has played with a newfound sense of authority against big-hitting opponents, and could well ask a few questions of the top-seeded Tunisian on Saturday.
Ons Jabeur vs Danka Kovinic head-to-head
Ons Jabeur and Danka Kovinic have split their two previous matches, so their current head-to-head record stands at 1-1. That said, Kovinic looked in complete control of the duo's meeting last week, and will have confidence on her side.
Ons Jabeur vs Danka Kovinic prediction
Ons Jabeur enters this contest as a clear favorite on paper, but she will be expecting a tough fight from her opponent given last week's result.
The Tunisinan has struggled to maintain a steady level over long stretches. Experts believe that is the reason why, despite having produced big results at Grand Slams and other big tournaments, Jabeur hasn't managed to bag a tour title yet.
Danka Kovinic has had a similarly up-and-down trajectory over the last few years, and will be keen to get her hands on a first WTA trophy herself. She came very close to that at the Volvo Car Open, but nerves and an on-song Veronika Kudermetova were too tough obstacles for the Montenegrin.
This is a big match for both women, and there are bound to be some nerves again. The result could well come down to who keeps the unforced errors count low, and that's where Kovinic might have a slight edge.
If she can couple her consistent groundstrokes with a certain level of aggressive intent, a repeat of the result from last week seems on the cards.
Prediction: Danka Kovinic to win in two tight sets.
