Women’s Olympic Tennis First Round – Iga Swiatek vs Mona Barthel Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Iga Swiatek vs Mona Barthel taking place? Iga Swiatek vs Mona Barthel will take place on Saturday 24th July, 2021 at (not before) 03:00 (UK)
Where is Iga Swiatek vs Mona Barthel taking place? Iga Swiatek vs Mona Barthel will take place at Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo
What surface is Iga Swiatek vs Mona Barthel played on? Iga Swiatek vs Mona Barthel will be played on hard courts
Where can I get tickets for Iga Swiatek vs Mona Barthel? There are no tickets for Iga Swiatek vs Mona Barthel as Olympic Tennis will take place without spectators.
What TV channel is Iga Swiatek vs Mona Barthel on in the UK? Olympic coverage is shared between BBC and Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedules for Iga Swiatek vs Mona Barthel
Where can I stream Iga Swiatek vs Mona Barthel in the UK? If Iga Swiatek vs Mona Barthel is televised on BBC then it can be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app. If Iga Swiatek vs Mona Barthel is televised on Eurosport then subscribers can stream the match live on Eurosport Player
THE PREDICTION
20-year-old Iga Swiatek is one to watch this week in Tokyo and should definitely be considered a contender for any colour of medal. The Pole did not enjoy her best tennis at Wimbledon this year after failing to defend her Roland-Garros title last month but two WTA titles this season in Adelaide and the Madrid Masters is still a huge success so far. Swiatek will only get better but already owns one of the most powerful forehands in the game and her ruthless streak will make her a serial champion sooner rather than later. World number 210 Mona Barthel spends more of her time on the doubles tour these days but the 31-year-old reached a career-high 23rd in the world back in 2013 and she has four WTA titles to her name. This will be Barthel’s second Olympic campaign having represented Germany at London 2012.
Swiatek was the winner in their only previous encounter back in 2018 where she overpowered Barthel in convincing straight sets as a teenager. There is little to suggest anything other than a repeat of that match here with the world number eight simply too powerful. Take Swiatek to blast through in straight sets.
