Birmingham 2024: Leylah Fernandez vs Viktorija Golubic preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick | Rothesay Classic
Match Details
Fixture: (6) Leylah Fernandez vs Viktorija Golubic
Date: TBD
Tournament: Rothesay Classic 2024
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Venue: Edgbaston Priory Club, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Category: WTA 250
Surface: Grass
Prize Money: $267,082
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Tennis Channel, BBC TV
Leylah Fernandez vs Viktorija Golubic preview
Two players with contrasting styles of play, the big-hitting Leylah Fernandez and the crafty Viktorija Golubic will lock horns in the second round of the 2024 Birmingham Classic.
Fernandez, the sixth seed at this year’s tournament, was near-flawless in her first match on grass as she eased past Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-1, 6-1 in the opening round.
The win was significant given that the Canadian came into the grass swing with a negative win-loss for the season at 11-12. She will now be looking to build on her win.
Golubic, like her opponent, held a negative win-loss for the season at 7-9. She, however, has also managed to turn things around for herself by winning three matches in her campaign in Birmingham.
The Swiss player took out Jana Fett and Linda Fruhvirtova in the qualification rounds before getting the better of Maria Camila Ososio Sernna in a topsy-turvy three-set battle in the first round.
Leylah Fernandez vs Viktorija Golubic head-to-head
Fernandez leads Golubic in their head-to-head 1-0, having beaten her Swiss opponent in their only meeting so far at Monterrey in 2021.
Leylah Fernandez vs Viktorija Golubic odds
(Odds will be updated when available)
Leylah Fernandez vs Viktorija Golubic prediction
The match-up will pit Leylah Fernandez’s powerful game against Viktorija Golubic’s court craft.
The Canadian, a southpaw, has a potent weapon in the form of her lefty slider serve that is even more effective on grass. She won a few easy points — 70% first serve points in total — off that shot in her opener.
Fernandez will again look to use that shot to stay on top in her service games. She will, however, need to be wary of her opponent’s guile.
Golubic is not the traditional tennis player, but instead relies on her guile and court craft to win points. Her single-handed backhand and slice are standout features of her game that can be really effective on grass. That said, a weaker serve can often leave her exposed. She has been broken on 10 occasions in her last three matches.
Fernandez will need to be ready to deal with some slicing and dicing herself, but her serve and willingness to take the ball early and be aggressive should give her an edge.
Prediction: Fernandez to win in three sets