Tokyo Olympics 2020: Elina Svitolina vs Marketa Vondrousova Preview, Head to Head and Prediction

In the third round of the Women’s singles at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Elina Svitolina from Ukraine will face Marketa Vondrousova from Czech.

Elina Svitolina vs Marketa Vondrousova: Match Details

Elina Svitolina vs Marketa Vondrousova: Match Details

Elina Svitolina is currently ranked number 6 in the world and is representing Ukraine in the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Svitolina scored her first win over defending champion and then world number 1, Serena Williams in the third round in straight sets. The Ukrainian eventually lost in the quarter finals. She has not had the best record at Grand Slams this year after being knocked out in the fourth round at the Australian Open, the third round at the French Open and second round at Wimbledon, where she played last before flying to Tokyo.

Svitolina is seeded number 4 in Tokyo and has made her best Olympic finish by reaching the semi-finals. In the first round at Tokyo, Svitolina faced a tough fight against Germany’s Laura Siegemund  but she overcame the 3 hours long marathon to take the win, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. She faced another 3 set match in the second round against Ajla Tomljanovic but once again proved to be the stronger player and moved onto the third round. She now faced a seeded player for the first time in Tokyo, number 14 seed, Maria Sakkari. A close match lasting 2 hours 40 minutes, eventually saw Svitolina taking the win, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4. In the quarter-final Svitolina finally won in straight sets against Italian, Camila Giorgi and secured her place in the semi-final.

Marketa Vondrousova is ranked number 42 in the world and reached a career-high ranking of 14 in 2019. She was the runner-up at the 2019 French Open where she became the first teenage Grand Slam finalist on the WTA Tour in nearly a decade.

Vondrousova made her Olympic debut in Tokyo. She faced a difficult match in the first round itself against number 16 seed, Kiki Bertens. The three-set match lasted almost two hours and eventually, Vondrousova disappointed Bertens to take the win 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. In the second round, she breezed past Mihaela Buzarnescu in just 67 minutes and secured her place in the third round in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2. In the third round, Vondrousova disappointed world number 2 and favourite for the gold medal, Naomi Osaka in just 68 minutes to take the win in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4. In the quarterfinals, Marketa was up against Spain’s Paula Badosa. Vondrousova was leading by one set and had just begun the second set when Badosa retired which gave Vondrousova the spot in the semifinals.

Elina Svitolina vs Marketa Vondrousova: Head to Head

This will be the 5^th meeting between the duo who last met in Rome in 2020 in the quarterfinals where Vondrousova took the win in straight sets. Svitolina currently leads their head to head tie 3-1.

Elina Svitolina vs Marketa Vondrousova: Prediction

Svitolina’s experience on the WTA Tour and also on hard court and her recent form will give her a much bigger advantage. She has won 13 matches on hard court this year and has lost 6 with a 66%-win record on this surface in her career.

Marketa Vondrousova has much lesser experience compared to Svitolina. Her win-loss record this year is 14-12. However, she has been in great form in Tokyo and her win against Osaka will give her a lot more confidence and motivation to go home with a medal.

Prediction: Svitolina to win in three sets.

Also read: Tennis at Tokyo Olympics 2020: Daniil Medvedev vs Pablo Carreno Busta Preview, Head to Head and Prediction