Jelena Ostapenko vs Ekaterina Alexandrova Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Korea Open

Prediction published on 24/09/2022, 14:42  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 24/09/2022 at 15:12 in Tennis Predictions

It doesn't happen too often in women's tennis but the top two seeds meet in the Korean Open final. Top seeded Jelena Ostapenko takes on the second seed Ekaterina Alexandrova and it looks like being a tight final. Ostapenko started the week ranked 19th but is up to 17th in the live rankings and will climb another three places if winning this final. If winning in Seoul, it'll be her second title of the year after success in Dubai. Ostapenko was in top form at that time and also reached the last four in St Petersburg and Doha. Form has dipped a little bit and it's been a tough route to the final for her. Both of her first two matches went to a final set and it was the same in her semi-final. The top seed lost the first set to Emma Raducanu but leveled the scores and led 3-0 in the final set when her British opponent retired with yet another injury.

Ekaterina Alexandrova is the world number 24 but will be 21st if winning this final. The Russian is also attempting to win her second title of the year after winning the Libema Open that was played in the Netherlands on grass in June. Before that Alexandrova had got to the last four on clay in Charleston and Madrid. Since that tournament win, the Russian had failed to get past the last 16 in five events. This week has seen her best performance of the year in an hard court tourrnament. Only Asia Muhammad (her first round opponent) has taken a set off her. The semi-finals saw her defeat Tatjana Maria (seeded seventh) for the loss of only six games. She leads Ostapenko 4-2 in previous meetings and can get a fifth win to win this title.