Dubai Tennis Championships 2023 final: Iga Swiatek vs Barbora Krejcikova preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (1) Iga Swiatek vs Barbora Krejcikova
Date: 25 February, 2023
Tournament: Dubai Tennis Championships 2023
Round: Final
Venue: Aviation Club Tennis Center, Dubai
Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt
Prize money: $2,788,468
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Iga Swiatek vs Barbora Krejcikova preview
Top seed Iga Swiatek will face Barbora Krejcikova in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Saturday.
Swiatek entered the tournament after successfully defending her title at the Qatar Open and received a bye to the second round. Here, she beat Leylah Fernandez 6-1, 6-1 before thrashing 14th seed Liudmila Samsonova 6-1, 6-0 to reach the quarterfinals.
Swiatek was scheduled to face Karolina Pliskova in the last eight but the Czech withdrew due to illness, thus giving the World No. 1 a walkover to the semifinals. Here, she defeated Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-2 to reach her second successive final.
Barbora Krejcikova has enjoyed a tremendous run in Dubai and this could be the tournament that could help the Czech get back to her best in the singles circuit. The 27-year-old started the WTA 1000 event with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Irina-Camelia Begu and followed it up with a hard-fought 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 win over seventh seed Daria Kasatkina.
Krejcikova beat compatriot Petra Kvitova 6-3, 6-2 in the third round to book her place in the quarterfinals. Here, she produced a major upset by handing Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka her first defeat of the 2023 season despite being bageled in the opening set.
The 2021 French Open champion faced third seed Jessica Pegula in the semifinals and cruised through the first set, winning it 6-1. However, the American bounced back in the second and won it 7-5 to force the match into a decider.
Krejcikova dominated the final set and won it 6-0 to reach her second WTA 1000 final. Interestingly, her first also came at the Dubai Tennis Championships, back in 2021.
Iga Swiatek vs Barbora Krejcikova head-to-head
Swiatek leads 2-1 in the head-to-head against Krejcikova but the Czech won their last meeting 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-3 in the final of the AGEL Open in Ostrava last season.
Iga Swiatek vs Barbora Krejcikova odds
All odds are sourced from BETMGM.
Iga Swiatek vs Barbora Krejcikova prediction
Swiatek will enter the match as the favorite to win but Krejcikova should not be underestimated given her performances in Dubai along with the fact that she was victorious the last time she faced the World No. 1.
Swiatek's powerful serve and groundstrokes have been in display throughout the tournament, as has her return game and on-court movement. The Pole's composure and mental strength only make her a more formidable opponent.
Krejcikova is a pretty good server herself and while she has hit a few aces in Dubai, she has also accumulated 21 double faults. The Czech will have to improve on her second serve as she cannot afford to give someone like Swiatek too many free points.
Krejcikova has solid groundstrokes and, like Swiatek, constructs her points well when needed. She has a solid net game which will no doubt come in handy. However, the 27-year-old's most important weapon will be her grit.
Swiatek has been sensational over the past couple of weeks and will no doubt make life difficult for Krejcikova. However, the Czech has shown a lot of resilience and that might just about see her cause what could be perceived as a massive upset in the final.
Pick: Krejcikova to win in three sets.