Jessica Pegula vs Karolina Muchova Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Cincinnati Open

Prediction published on 15/08/2024, 00:23  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 15/08/2024 at 03:24 in Tennis Predictions

Jessica Pegula, the sixth seed in Cincinnati, will begin her tournament in the second round against unseeded Karolina Muchova. This will be their first career meeting and the winner will play Taylor Townsend or Daria Kasatkina for a quarter-final berth. Here’s a preview of the match and a prediction.

Pegula is coming off a successful title defence in Toronto. She won her second Rogers Cup title by defeating Amanda Anisimova in the final in three sets. The American is now on a five-match winning run.

In this form, she will be confident of surpassing her best record in Cincinnati. The world number six has recorded two quarter-final finishes here in her last four appearances. Pegula has already claimed two titles in 2024, and compiled a 26-10 record.

Karolina Muchova emerged second in Cincinnati last season, playing in her first WTA 1000 final. The Czech player has struggled with a wrist injury since the latter stages of last season. As a result, she had a belated start to the year but has looked superb on her return.

In 10 outings so far in 2024, she has claimed seven wins, four on clay resulting in a runner-up finish in Palermo. Though coming up against the in-form Pegula is a tough draw, Muchova will stay positive.

The 27-year-old, who is playing in Cincinnati for a fourth time, defeated Dayana Yastremska in the first round. She won in straight sets to halt a two-match skid coming into the tournament. Muchova’s absence from the tour during the early stages of the season saw her plummet in the world rankings.

She is currently placed 52nd in the live ranking.