WTA Finals White Group: Czech stars Kvitova and Safarova need win

Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | October 27, 2015

WTA Finals White Group, matchday two

Czech losers Kvitova and Safarova kick off the fourth day

Former WTA Finals champion Petra Kvitova suffered a surprise loss in her first White Group game against Angeline Kerber, and has the chance to make amends when she faces Czech compatriot Lucie Safarova next.

German Kerber, meanwhile, potentially battles for top spot with fellow day two winner Garbine Muguruza, who defeated Safarova. Here is Coral’s preview of the action on day four…

Petra Kvitova v Lucie Safarova

This duo have faced each other seven times before, with 2011 winner of this event unbeaten in all the meetings. Kvitova, therefore, is the odds-on 2/5 favourite.

However, the Czech Republic pair nearly always have close battles, having gone to three sets on three occasions. An apparent jet-lagged Kvitova is 11/4 to triumph 2-1 once more.

As stated in our bet of the day on Tuesday, the Fed Cup teammates also have a habit of going to a tie-break in the first set, so, back that to happen again at a tempting 9/2 price, or a safer 9/4 for there to be one in the entire match.

If you fancy Safarova to gain her first victory over Kvitova, though, the she has tasty odds of 2/1 available.

Garbine Muguruza v Angelique Kerber

This battle between the two opening White Group match winners will be an intriguing affair, and Coral’s odds for Muguruza (odds-on 4/5 slight favourite) and Kerber (evens) suggest it will be close.

Their head-to-head record of three wins apiece also suggest this could go down to the wire, so place a bet on there being over 2.5 sets in this clash.

It is Venezuelan-born Spain star Muguruza, however, who has claimed the last three victories, and she can be backed at 11/4 to triumph 2-1.

In the race for top spot in this round-robin group, world number three Muguruza is the favourite at 6/5, while Kerber is now an 11/8 shout.

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Coral’s top tip: Kvitova and Safarova always have close battles, but as the former has always come out on top ion their seven meetings back her to win 2-1 at 11/4