Dubai Tennis Championships 2023: Iga Swiatek vs Leylah Fernandez preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (1) Iga Swiatek vs Leylah Fernandez
Date: 21 February, 2023
Tournament: Dubai Tennis Championships 2023
Round: Second round (round of 32)
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 Leylah Fernandez preview
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek will take on Leylah Fernandez in the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Swiatek started the 2023 season by helping Poland reach the semifinals of the United Cup before losing to Elena Rybakina in the fourth round of the Australian Open.
The Pole then entered the Qatar Open in Doha and successfully defeated her title by thrashing Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-0 in the final. She dropped only two games throughout the entire tournament.
Leylah Fernandez has won three out of six main-draw matches so far during the 2023 season. The Canadian's best performance was reaching the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic in Auckland.
She then endured a second-round defeat to Shelby Rogers at the Australian Open and lost to her again in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Open. Fernandez failed to qualify for the main draw of the Qatar Open after losing 6-2, 7-5 in her final qualifier against Karolina Pliskova.
The 20-year-old then competed at the Dubai Tennis Championships and booked her place in the second round with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Julia Grabher.
Iga Swiatek vs Leylah Fernandez head-to-head
Swiatek leads 1-0 in the head-to-head against Fernandez, beating her 6-1, 6-2 in their last meeting at the 2022 Adelaide International
Iga Swiatek vs Leylah Fernandez odds
All odds are sourced from BETMGM.
Iga Swiatek vs Leylah Fernandez prediction
Swiatek will enter the match as the overwhelming favorite to win, especially after her dominance at the Qatar Open. The Pole is at her lethal best following her early exit at the Australian Open.
Swiatek will look to all-out attack from the start of the match and put pressure on Fernandez. Her return game and on-court movement will also come in very handy in dominating the match.
Fernandez hits her shots with a lot of power and being aggressive might help her. However, she cannot afford to hit too many unforced errors against someone like Swiatek. The Canadian will have to be at her absolute best if she is to stand a chance.
Swiatek enjoyed a terrific week in Doha and should be able to start the Dubai Tennis Championships with a win and book her place in the quarterfinals.
Pick: Swiatek to win in straight sets.