Cincinnati Open 2021 QF: Ashleigh Barty vs Barbora Krejcikova Preview, Prediction, & Live Stream

Top-notch tennis is flowing in from Cincinnati yet again as the Western and Southern Open prepares to enter its last quarter. So far, the tournament has been thoroughly entertaining. Fans have enjoyed every bit of the action as players line up for fierce battles. In yet another mouthwatering outing, the competition’s top seed, Ashleigh Barty will take on World No. 10, Barbora Krejcikova in an epic quarter-final clash.

Both Ashleigh Barty and Barbora Krejcikova walk into Cincinnati on the back of successful seasons. Newly crowned with Olympic glory, the Australian won bronze in the mixed doubles category at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, her fellow Olympian, Barbora, won the prized gold in the women doubles category at the Summer Games. Undoubtedly, emotions will be running high as both players will be looking to settle old scores against each other.

Ashleigh Barty vs Barbora Krejcikova: Preview, Head-to-Head, & Predictions

Both WTA stars are two of the most popular faces on the tour this year. Ashleigh put on a dominant display in her round 3 clash as she bagelled Victoria Azarenka in the first set and wrapped up the game with a scoreline of 6-0, 6-2.

Not one to lag behind, Barbora has played with authority throughout the tournament. Recording straight-set victories in the opening rounds of the tournament, she edged past her opponents with triumphant displays and replicated a similar performance to topple World No. 9 Garbine Muguruza to make it to the quarter-finals.

With little separating the two, Barty has won 38 out of her 45 matches this season, whereas Barbora has won 37 out of her 48. However, one of Ashleigh’s wins will sting Barbora a little more than the others.

The two giants have met in the singles category on only one occasion at the 2021 Wimbledon Championship. Notably, the Aussie international, who went on to win the tournament, beat Barbora on the way up in the round of 16. A straight-set victory saw the 25-year-old through.

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However, it can’t overshadow Barbora’s remarkable season, notably her triumphant outing at the French Open. The Czech international won both the women’s singles and the doubles event in Paris. When the duo met in the doubles event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Czech team toppled the Aussies in the quarter-finals.

It is shaping up to be a battle like no other this time.

Prediction: Barty def. Barbora in three sets.

Cincinnati Open 2021: Live Streaming, When and Where to Watch

Excited fans in the US can watch the Cincinnati tournament on the Tennis Channel. Prime Video will be telecasting the game for the UK and Ireland fans.

Most importantly, Australian fans can watch their golden girl on beIn, whereas TVA Sports, DAZN, TSN channels are available in Canada.

iQIYI will come to the rescue for tennis fans in China. Meanwhile, Central and South American fans can broadcast the event on ESPN.

As the stage is set, fans wait in anticipation to watch the two giants go head-to-head. Who will book a spot in the finals and end the other’s journey in the tournament?

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