Women’s Olympic Tennis Second Round – Iga Swiatek vs Paula Badosa Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Iga Swiatek vs Paula Badosa taking place? Iga Swiatek vs Paula Badosa will take place on Monday 26th July, 2021 at (not before) 06:00 (UK)
Where is Iga Swiatek vs Paula Badosa taking place? Iga Swiatek vs Paula Badosa will take place at Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo
What surface is Iga Swiatek vs Paula Badosa played on? Iga Swiatek vs Paula Badosa will be played on hard courts
Where can I get tickets for Iga Swiatek vs Paula Badosa? There are no tickets for Iga Swiatek vs Paula Badosa as Olympic Tennis will take place without spectators.
What TV channel is Iga Swiatek vs Paula Badosa on in the UK? Olympic coverage is shared between BBC and Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedules for Iga Swiatek vs Paula Badosa
Where can I stream Iga Swiatek vs Paula Badosa in the UK? If Iga Swiatek vs Paula Badosa is televised on BBC then it can be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app. If Iga Swiatek vs Paula Badosa is televised on Eurosport then subscribers can stream the match live on Eurosport Player
THE PREDICTION
World number eight Iga Swiatek started her first Olympic Games campaign off as predicted with a comprehensive win over Mona Barthel. The Pole has won two WTA titles this season already in Adelaide on hard and at the Italian Open on the clay which is at this stage of her career definitely her best surface. However, the 20-year-old has the power game for any service and a ruthless streak that should strike fear in the rest of the draw in Tokyo if she maintains this intensity. The 2020 Roland-Garros champion has pedigree in the family as father Tomasz competed for Poland in the men’s quadruple sculls back in 1988 and with world number one Ash Barty out of the draw now she is a proper serious medal contender here.
In her way is world number 29 Paula Badosa, who came back from a set down to beat Kristina Mladenovic in the first round. The Spaniard burst onto the scene earlier this year with an excellent clay season but she also played well at Wimbledon and is showing signs of a future in or around the top 10 across all surfaces. The 23-year-old is part of a strong-looking Women’s Doubles team with Sara Sorribes Tormo, who shocked Ash Barty in the first round for a career win, and some of that inspiration might rub off on Badosa. This should be a vastly entertaining match but it is still hard not to see a Swiatek win in two here.
