“It couldn’t get any tougher for the first match,” is the honest admission from Barbora Krejcikova as she is set to play one of the biggest matches of her career. The WTA star proved her worth at Wimbledon this year by taking down Jasmine Paolini to lift her second grand slam trophy. At the WTA Finals, her run is set to start with a staggering showdown against Iga Swiatek who looks to make a comeback after weeks of absence. But who among these two has a better chance of winning? Here’s a detailed comparison of the odds.

Iga Swiatek vs Barbora Krejcikova: Preview

Iga Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova are set to take part in a much-anticipated WTA Finals match in Riyadh. The reigning champion Iga arrives looking to secure the year-end No. 1 ranking. She dominated the Finals in Cancun last year and went 5-0 without even losing a set. This year, she’s coming forward with the addition of new coach Wim Fissette. Swiatek has to go through a series of hurdles as she aims to join tennis legends like Serena Williams and Martina Navratilova with consecutive year-end titles.

Krejcikova, on the other side, won the Wimbledon this year  but has faced struggle in recent months. This includes early exits in Beijing, Wuhan, and Ningbo during the Asian swing. Despite her recent inconsistency, Krejcikova has previously held well against Swiatek, which could give her confidence in this high-stakes matchup. This is her second time at the Finals after a tough debut in 2021, where she had to leave without a win. The Czech player is now ready to rediscover her form against the Pole.

Swiatek vs Krejcikova: Head-to-head

Both Barbora Krejcikova and Iga Swiatek have their own strengths and weaknesses on different surfaces. Looking at the head-to-head stats between the two, the numbers remain even.

In a total of 4 matches played against each other throughout their careers, both Iga and Krejcikova have managed to win 2 each. The ongoing season wasn’t able to bring them against each other as Krejcikova’s surge came at the grass court season where Swiatek struggled. Their last showdown was recorded in 2023 in Dubai where Krejcikova managed to take down Swiatek effortlessly.

Here’s a summary of the matches:

• 2023 Dubai: Krejcikova won 6-4, 6-2
• 2022 Ostrava: Krejcikova won 5-7, 7-6, 6-3
• 2021 Rome: Swiatek won 3-6, 7-6, 7-5
• 2021 Miami: Swiatek won 6-4, 6-2

Prediction: Swiatek to win in three sets

Iga Swiatek is one of the favorites to make a deep run in Riyadh despite her notable absence throughout the Asian Swing. Besides the absence, the  “queen of clay” found herself stuck in a miserable phase after the disappointing US Open defeat. However, with the addition of Naomi Osaka’s ex-coach in her team, the troubles might have come to an end. Swiatek will look to hold the match with her signature intensity.

Krejcikova, on the other hand, has had a challenging run in recent months with early exits in New York, Wuhan, Beijing, and Ningbo, and recently dealt with a minor back injury. Despite the setbacks, she seems prepared for the match and knows Swiatek won’t be an easy opponent. “Iga is a great tennis player. She’s been one of the most consistent during the season,” Krejcikova said, adding, “I mean, it couldn’t get any tougher for the first match.” Krejcikova’s previous hardcourt battles with Swiatek have been close, and her experience on this surface could help her keep up with the world no. 2.

Krejcikova is hopeful she can find her best form in this opening clash and show that she’s a real threat to Swiatek. With a smile, she remarked, “I hope we going to have a nice match. I hope she’s not going to kick my bu** all the way,” before confidently adding, “I feel like I can have a good chance and I can play good tennis right now. I believe in my skills.” Both players will bring intensity, and if Krejcikova finds her rhythm, this could be a great battle. Who do you think is going to get it?