WTA Finals White Group: Czech couple Kvitova and Safarova to win
Published:
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | October 25, 2015
WTA Finals White Group, matchday one
- Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
- Wimbledon runner-up Muguruza meets French Open finalist Safarova at 10:00 GMT
- Kvitova clash with Kerber scheduled for 11:30 GMT
Muguruza makes maiden WTA Finals appearance
Women’s tennis world number three Garbine Muguruza has seen her career skyrocket this season, following up her run to the Wimbledon final with a second WTA Tour title when winning the China Open earlier this month.
Venezuelan-born Muguruza is Coral’s 7/2 second-favourite (behind top seed Simona Halep) to take the end of year WTA Finals title on her debut in that competition, but faces another 2015 Grand Slam finalist in Lucie Safarova first in the White Group.
Double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, meanwhile, is a real dark horse at 6/1 for a second WTA Finals success, and she is also in action on Monday against sixth seed Angelique Kerber.
Garbine Muguruza v Lucie Safarova
Representing Spain, 22-year-old Muguruza has lost her only previous meeting with Safarova, who knocked her out en route to the Roland Garros final.
That was on clay, however, and the WTA Finals in Singapore take place on an indoor hard surface, which has clearly suited Muguruza if her recent exploits in China are any indicator.
Odds-on at 1/3 to slay Safarova, that price does look a little short. Their opening set at the French Open went the distance, and another tiebreak here is a superb 6/1 shot.
Czech Republic number two Safarova, a 12/5 match outsider, is very tempting indeed to repeat her straight sets victory here at 5/1. She knows she can beat Muguruza, who only thinks victory is possible.
Petra Kvitova v Angelique Kerber
Safarova’s compatriot Kvitova has won the last three of four head-to-heads with Germany’s inconsistent Kerber on hard courts, so starts as a narrow odds-on 4/5 match favourite.
Those meetings on this surface have not been plain sailing, however, with Kvitova needed a decider to win. A two sets to one victory is an awesome 11/4 chance for the top Czech lady.
Even-money match chance Kerber’s last couple of clashes with Kvitova have seen the opener require a tiebreak to separate them, and it’s 9/2 to go the distance once again.
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Coral’s top tip: Safarova in straight sets shouldn’t be a shock to punters in the know, so take that fabulous 5/1 on a 2-0 victory over Muguruza.
