WTA Abu Dhabi Open 2021: Elina Svitolina vs Jessica Pegula Preview, Head-to-Head & Prediction


WTA Abu Dhabi Open 2021: Elina Svitolina vs Jessica Pegula Preview, Head-to-Head & Prediction

Elina Svitolina, Jessica Pegula

Elina Svitolina, Jessica Pegula

Elina Svitolina, 2nd seed at the Abu Dhabi Open will get her 2021 season started against the American, Jessica Pegula in Round 1. Svitolina is ranked number five in the WTA rankings, whereas Pegula is ranked 63 in the world. Svitolina ended her 2020 season in a disappointing fashion with a first round loss at the Ostrava Open, whereas Pegula returns to court for the first time after the French Open.

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Match details

  • Date: 7th January, 2021
  • Tournament: Abu Dhabi Women’s Tennis Open 2021
  • Fixture: Elina Svitolina vs Jessica Pegula
  • Venue: Abu Dhabi, UAE
  • Category: WTA 500
  • Round: Round of 64 (First round)
  • Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt
  • Prize money: $565,530

Elina Svitolina vs Jessica Pegula: Match Preview

Elina Svitolina

Elina Svitolina missed a golden opportunity to win her maiden Grandslam title at the French Open last year, after she was defeated by Nadia Podoroska in the quarterfinals. She suffered a first round loss to M.Sakkari in the first round of the Ostrava Open, which was her last tournament of the year. Svitolina won two titles in the pandemic-curtailed 2020 season, the Monterrey Open and the Strasbourg Open.

Jessica Pegula makes her return to competitive tennis after her first round loss to Aryna Sabalenka at the French Open 2020. Pegula had a few decent performances at the Cincinnati Open and the US Open. She reached the quarterfinals in Cincinnati and the third round at the Flushing Meadows.

Elina Svitolina vs Jessica Pegula: Head-to-Head

Jessica Pegula

The duo have never faced against each other before and the first round clash at the Abu Dhabi Open will be their first ever encounter.

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Elina Svitolina vs Jessica Pegula: Match Prediction

Svitolina will progress into the second round

Elina Svitolina is a certain favorite to win the first round encounter and progress into the second round. The second seed starts as one of the tournament favorites. However, Jessica Pegula has shown in the recent past that she can prove to be a major threat on hard courts. The American is expected to put up a strong fight and not let the Ukrainian overpower her. Svitolina has also shown her prowess on hard courts in the past, when she won the Monterrey Open last year. Pegula’s service games have often let her down at crucial junctures in the game. Svitolina will look forward to putting pressure on the American’s serve and seal the first round victory.

Match Prediction: Elina Svitolina to defeat Jessica Pegula in straight sets.

Also Read: WTA Abu Dhabi Open 2021: Garbiñe Muguruza vs Kristina Mladenovic – Preview, Head-to-Head & Prediction