Women’s Olympic Tennis First Round – Veronika Kudermetova vs Garbine Muguruza Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Veronika Kudermetova vs Garbine Muguruza taking place? Veronika Kudermetova vs Garbine Muguruza will take place on Sunday 25th July, 2021 at (not before) 06:00 (UK)
Where is Veronika Kudermetova vs Garbine Muguruza taking place? Veronika Kudermetova vs Garbine Muguruza will take place at Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo
What surface is Veronika Kudermetova vs Garbine Muguruza played on? Veronika Kudermetova vs Garbine Muguruza will be played on hard courts
Where can I get tickets for Veronika Kudermetova vs Garbine Muguruza? There are no tickets for Veronika Kudermetova vs Garbine Muguruza as Olympic Tennis will take place without spectators.
What TV channel is Veronika Kudermetova vs Garbine Muguruza on in the UK? Olympic coverage is shared between BBC and Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedules for Veronika Kudermetova vs Garbine Muguruza
Where can I stream Veronika Kudermetova vs Garbine Muguruza in the UK? If Veronika Kudermetova vs Garbine Muguruza is televised on BBC then it can be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app. If Veronika Kudermetova vs Garbine Muguruza is televised on Eurosport then subscribers can stream the match live on Eurosport Player
THE PREDICTION
World number 33 Veronika Kudermetova is riding a three-match losing streak after a disappointing grass swing but the Russian won her first WTA title back in April at the Charleston Open as part of an impressive clay swing. The 24-year-old also finished runner-up in Abu Dhabi on a hard court to show for her prowess across surfaces but she has struggled to keep up that intensity in recent months. A first round draw against world number nine Garbine Muguruza is terribly tough, though, as the two-time Grand Slam champion represents Spain for a second time at the Olympic Games. 27-year-old Muguruza has struggled all season to find her very best form but the former world number one is still plenty strong enough to go deep into this tournament, especially on her favoured hard surface on which she has won six of her total eight WTA titles.
Muguruza will be targeting a medal at the Olympic Games and nothing less. She leads Kudermetova 2-0 in their head-to-head record having won their first meeting last year at the Dubai Open and again this season in Qatar. There is no reason to suggest she cannot make it a third victory here but the Russian will put up a stern test in the knowledge that Muguruza is currently more vulnerable than usual. Therefore, take the Spaniard to win outright here.
