Contrasting Opinions Come to Fore at WTA Finals as American Legends Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert Have Their Say on Jessica Pegula vs. Iga Swiatek Clash

After a series of controversies, complaints, and drama, the season-ending championship of the WTA ends on Monday. The world No. 2 in women’s tennis, Iga Swiatek, takes on the No. 5, American Jessica Pegula in the ultimate battle in Cancun. Who will have the last laugh? Let’s find out what the experts say about this Grand Finale.

Iga Swiatek displayed an outstanding performance to put down the No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka, by 6-3,6-2 on Sunday. On the other hand, Jessica Pegula met her doubles partner Coco Gauff on her road to the biggest match of the tournament. She defeated her 19-year-old compatriot quite comfortably to get an inch closer to her third title of the season. There is a lot at stake for the two at the GNP Seguros WTA Finals in Cancun. Who are the picks for Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert in this epic encounter? 

Chris Evert backs the No. 2, Iga Swiatek

Iga Swiatek leads the H2H with Jessica Pegula by a 5-3 margin. But hold on! The 29-year-old had recently tasted victory in her last encounter with the Polish at the Canadian Open. The taste of winning is always sweet, and when it comes against the top 10s, it’s even more precious. Pegula had tasted plenty of it at Estadio Paradisus this time. Can she clinch the silverware and make it a memorable trip to Mexico? Let’s see what the WTA Finals Ambassador has to say when they face off for the 81st time.

When asked about their prediction for the match, Navratilova picked Jessica Pegula. She said, “She has yet to drop a match and is playing with a high level of confidence. She has been unnerved by the conditions here, and that mindset will help her upset Iga in a close match.” The former No. 3 is 51-0 this season when she won the first set, and she has been in red hot form recently.

But Chris Evert chose the former No. 1, Iga Swiatek. She said, “The No. 1 ranking hangs in the balance, and Iga does not want anything less. She came here to reclaim it, and she won’t stop in the final.“

Surely, this will be as exciting in the court as it turns out to be out of it. This is the first time since Serena Williams in 2009 when the No. 1 ranking could change heads at the WTA Finals. There’s a lot at stake for both of them.

READ MORE: WTA Finals – Jessica Pegula vs Iga Swiatek: Preview, Head-To-Head, Predictions

Swiatek aims to finish the season on a higher note

The victory in Cancun will add $1,476,000 prize money and 420 ranking points to their bag. But there is more. If Iga Swiatek wins the final, she will finish the year as world No. 1 for the second consecutive season. This win will also ensure her 17th career title and extend her winning streak to 11 matches. Iga Swiatek would surely love to be the second Polish to lift the WTA Finals trophy and end the season with a bright smile. 

On the other hand, the challenger is looking for the 5th title of her career. Serena Williams had last won the tournament nine years ago. Can Pegula end this drought for Americans on Monday? We’ll have to wait for the answer. But unforced errors can be a big decider in the Grand Finale. Can they reduce errors to make it a memorable night of a not-so-memorable tour in Mexico?

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