Canadian Open 2024: Jessica Pegula vs Karolina Pliskova preview, head-to-head, prediction and pick
Match details
Fixture: (3) Jessica Pegula vs Karolina Pliskova
Date: August 8, 2024
Tournament: Canadian Open 2024
Round: Second round (Round of 32)
Venue: Toronto, Canada
Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Hard
Prize money: $2,788,468
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | Canada - Sportsnet, TVA Sports | UK - Amazon Prime Video | India - Sony Liv
Jessica Pegula vs Karolina Pliskova preview
Third seed Jessica Pegula will take on Karolina Pliskova in the second round of the Canadian Open.
After a slow start to the season, Pegula is starting to find her top form on the women's tour. She's chalked up 20 wins from 29 matches, including a title-winning run in the German Open. The American outclassed Anna Kalinskaya in a thrilling three-set final in Berlin, 6-7(0), 6-4, 7-6(3). She also reached the semifinals of the San Diego Open and the Charleston Open.
The 30-year-old will enter Toronto on the back of a second-round exit at the Paris Olympics. She began her campaign by cruising past Viktorija Golubic in the first round, but couldn't make her mark against Elina Svitolina. The Ukranian defeated Pegula in three sets, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3.
Karolina Pliskova, meanwhile, has had a promising season so far by amassing 18 wins from 31 matches, including a title-winning run in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. She also secured a runner-up finish in Nottingham, where she lost to Katie Boulter in the finals.
The 32-year-old entered Toronto on the back of a first-round exit in Washington at the hands of Wang Yafan. She started her campaign with a splendid win against Nadia Podoroska in the first round, 6-4, 7-6(10). Pliskova will be eager to present a stern challenge to Pegula.
Jessica Pegula vs Karolina Pliskova head-to-head
Pegula leads the head-to-head against Pliskova 4-1. However, Pliskova won their most recent encounter in the 2021 Cincinnati Open.
Jessica Pegula vs Karolina Pliskova odds
Odds will be updated when available.
Jessica Pegula vs Karolina Pliskova prediction
Despite a title-triumph in June this year, Pegula has struggled to stamp her authority on tour. She ended the 2023 season on a high, but couldn't continue her clinical form in 2024. The American will be keen to find her rhythm in Toronto and and begin her US Open preparations on a high.
Pliskova, on the contrary, has ground out impressive results this year. She hasn't been able to lay a glove on higher-ranked opponents, but still captured a title in the Transylvania Open and almost lifted another in Nottingham. The Czech saved nine break points in her previous match against Podoroska and showed her resilience to cross the finish line in straight sets.
Considering their recent results and record on hard courts, the defending champion Pegula will be a heavy favorite to come out on top. Her versatile all-around game and accurate groundstrokes off both wings could cause significant problems for the Czech in this bout.
Pick: Pegula to win in three sets.