Adelaide International 2022: Iga Swiatek vs Leylah Fernandez preview, head-to-head & prediction
Match details
Fixture: (5) Iga Swiatek vs Leylah Fernandez
Date: 6 January 2021
Tournament: Adelaide International 2022
Round: Round of 16 (Second round)
Venue: Adelaide, Australia
Category: WTA 500
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize money: $703,580
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Iga Swiatek vs Leylah Fernandez preview
Fifth seed Iga Swiatek will lock horns with Canadian Leylah Fernandez in the second round of the Adelaide International on Thursday.
Swiatek kicked off her title defense in Adelaide with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Daria Saville. After a few initial hiccups, the Pole took control of the match and sealed her sixth consecutive win at the tournament.
Iga Swiatek defeats Daria Saville 63 63 to set up a 2R meeting with Leylah Fernandez.
#AdelaideTennis https://t.co/Y4IWMO8qHb
Swiatek had a successful 2021 season, winning two titles, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 4 and making her debut at the WTA Finals. The 2020 Roland Garros champion will be looking to kick on this season.
Leylah Fernandez, meanwhile, produced a flawless display of tennis to defeat Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3, 6-4 in her opener. The Canadian was impressive on all fronts, especially on serve, as she didn't face a single breakpoint.
Dominant 👊
🇨🇦 @leylahfernandez takes down Alexandrova to set up a Round 2 clash with Swiatek or Saville.
#AdelaideTennis https://t.co/MeBmRpDdiD
The teenager's astounding run to the 2021 US Open final shot her into the limelight and it remains to be seen how she handles the pressure of being one of the top players on the tour.
Iga Swiatek vs Leylah Fernandez head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between Iga Swiatek and Leylah Fernandez, so the head-to-head is currently tied at 0-0.
Iga Swiatek vs Leylah Fernandez prediction
Swiatek is the more experienced and higher-ranked player, but Fernandez has shown in the past that she has the ability to go toe-to-toe with the best. She defeated Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, Elina Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenka en route to the 2021 US Open final.
Fernandez is quite steady from the baseline and can frustrate opponents into errors. But she also has the ability to go on the attack, particularly on the forehand wing.
Swiatek is definitely the more aggressive player and will look to control the rallies. Her recent time on the doubles court has also helped her develop her net game.
This promises to be an exciting contest between two young players, but the defending champion should have enough firepower to overcome the Canadian teenager's challenge.
Prediction: Iga Swiatek to win in three sets.
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