Women’s Olympic Tennis First Round – Ashleigh Barty vs Sara Sorribes Tormo Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Ashleigh Barty vs Sara Sorribes Tormo taking place? Ashleigh Barty vs Sara Sorribes Tormo will take place on Sunday 25th July, 2021 at (not before) 03:00 (UK)
Where is Ashleigh Barty vs Sara Sorribes Tormo taking place? Ashleigh Barty vs Sara Sorribes Tormo will take place at Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo
What surface is Ashleigh Barty vs Sara Sorribes Tormo played on? Ashleigh Barty vs Sara Sorribes Tormo will be played on hard courts
Where can I get tickets for Ashleigh Barty vs Sara Sorribes Tormo? There are no tickets for Ashleigh Barty vs Sara Sorribes Tormo as Olympic Tennis will take place without spectators.
What TV channel is Ashleigh Barty vs Sara Sorribes Tormo on in the UK? Olympic coverage is shared between BBC and Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedules for Ashleigh Barty vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Where can I stream Ashleigh Barty vs Sara Sorribes Tormo in the UK? If Ashleigh Barty vs Sara Sorribes Tormo is televised on BBC then it can be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app. If Ashleigh Barty vs Sara Sorribes Tormo is televised on Eurosport then subscribers can stream the match live on Eurosport Player
THE PREDICTION
World number one Ashleigh Barty achieved a childhood dream in winning the Wimbledon earlier this month, beating Karolina Pliskova over three sets in a high-quality final. The 25-year-old Aussie further endeared herself with tennis fans everywhere during the campaign and as a now two-time Grand Slam champion she looks ready to establish herself as the player to beat for a few more years to come yet. Barty has won four titles on the WTA tour this season, more than any other, and as a superb all-court player looks set to battle it out this week in Tokyo for a potential blockbuster final against the world number two Naomi Osaka.
A first meeting with world number 48 Sara Sorribes Tormo will not be easy, however, after the Spaniard also came of age at Wimbledon this month in one of the best matches of the entire tournament. Although the Spaniard eventually lost to Angelique Kerber, their three hour three-set masterclass was vastly impressive and promising for the 24-year-old’s future. Sorribes Tormo win her first WTA title earlier this year in Guadalajara and she looks a dangerous first opponent for Barty, especially as the Aussie comes in a little cold from a huge release of pressure in winning Wimbledon. If Barty is to lose in Tokyo, this looks like one of the likelier rounds. The ‘first match after a title’ curse looms large here and Sorribes Tormo looks good to win at least a set. For that reason, an outright win for Barty looks the safe option but taking Sorribes Tormo to win at least a set could be a more valuable pick.
