Eastbourne 2024: Karolina Muchova vs Magda Linette preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick | Rothesay International
Match Details
Fixture: Karolina Muchova vs [Q] Magda Linette
Date: TBD
Tournament: Rothesay International 2024
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Venue: Devonshire Park LTC, Eastbourne, United Kingdom
Category: WTA 500
Surface: Grass
Prize Money: $922,573
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Tennis Channel, BBC | Canada - TSN+
Karolina Muchova vs Magda Linette preview
Karolina Muchova and Magda Linette came through contrasting wins to book an exciting second-round showdown at the 2024 Eastbourne International.
Making her comeback from a layoff due to injury, Muchova was out on the court for just a short while before Elina Avanesyan gave her a wallover at 3-1. Given that she has not played competitively since reaching the U.S. Open semifinal way back in September last year, the Czech will be keen on getting some matches under her belt heading into Wimbledon.
Linette, meanwhile, has already won three matches, having had to play the qualification rounds. The Pole was tested by the likes of Ranah Akua Stoiber, and Wang Yafan, but she managed to pull through. Up against a big-hitter in the form of Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the first round, she showed incredible tenacity to prevail 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-4. The win pushed her season’s overall win-loss record to 14-16.
Karolina Muchova vs Magda Linette head-to-head
Muchova leads Linette in their current head-to-head 2-1, having beaten her in their last two meetings. The Pole's only win over her opponent came back in 2019.
Karolina Muchova vs Magda Linette odds
(Odds will be updated once available)
Karolina Muchova vs Magda Linette prediction
Given that Karolina Muchova is playing in her first tournament since last year’s U.S. Open, there is bound to be some rust.
That said, the Czech is a natural on grass. She had made the Wimbledon quarter finals way back in 2019, way before her big breakthrough at the French Open last year. Her all-court game is well-suited for the surface and she will get more dangerous the longer she is out on court.
A quick start, then, will be key for Magda Linette. The Pole is a gritty opponent and does not give away too many free points. She has also done considerably well on serve this week, winning around 75% of the points behind the first delivery. Her breakpoint conversion, however, remains concerning at just 10 of 25. Against someone like Muchova, those numbers will need to improve. Linette will also need to be more aggressive, as a passive approach will only allow Muchova to settle into a rhythm.
A close battle is on the cards, but if Muchova can shed the initial rust, her affinity for the surface should tilt things in her favor.
Prediction: Muchova to win in three sets