Eastbourne 2024: Daria Kasatkina vs Leylah Fernandez preview, head-to-head, predictions, odds and pick | Rothesay Classic
Match Details
Fixture: (6) Daria Kasatkina vs Leylah Fernandez
Date: June 28, 2024
Tournament: Rothesay Classic
Round: Final
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+
Daria Kasatkina vs Leylah Fernandez preview
Sixth seed Daria Kasatkina will face Leylah Fernandez in the final of the Rothesay International in Eastbourne. Whoever wins, will clinch their maiden title on grass.
Kasatkina entered the WTA 500 event at the back of a second-round exit at the ecotrans Ladies Open in Berlin. The Russian started with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Wang Xinyu and followed it up by coming back from a set down and beating Yue Yuan 3-6, 6-4, 6-0.
She then faced Emma Raducanu in the quarterfinals and registered a comfortable 6-2, 6-2 win to set up a semifinal clash with third seed Jasmine Paolini. The Italian won the opening set 6-3 but Kasatkina staged a fightback to register a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 win and reach her second straight final in Eastbourne.
Leylah Fernandez entered the WTA 500 tournament after losing in the quarterfinals of the Birmingham Classic. The Canadian faced seventh seed Barbora Krejcikova in the first round and beat her 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.
She then made easy work of Ashlyn Krueger, winning 6-1, 6-2 to book her place in the quarterfinals. Here, the 21-year-old faced Harriet Dart and registered another 6-2, 6-1 win to set up a semifinal encounter with defending champion Madison Keys.
Fernandez took the lead in the match by taking a 6-3 lead before Keys bounced back to win the second set by the same margin and force the match into a decider. The Canadian then won the third set 6-3 to reach her maiden grass-court final.
Daria Kasatkina vs Leylah Fernandez head-to-head
Kasatkina leads 2-0 in the head-to-head against Fernandez. The last encounter between the two came in the first round of the San Diego Open, with the Russian winning 6-2, 6-2.
Daria Kasatkina vs Leylah Fernandez odds
All odds are sourced from BETMGM.
Daria Kasatkina vs Leylah Fernandez prediction
Kasatkina triumphed in both of her past matches against Fernandez and she will enter the match as the favorite to win. That said, the Canadian has had an impressive run, beating two seeded players, including the defending champion. Hence, she should not be written off.
Kasatkina has served six aces so far in Eastbourne but she has also served 23 double faults. The Russian will have to be careful not to produce too many of those in the final. While Kasatkina is a slow-surface player, she has had some decent performances on grass. The 27-year-old isn't the biggest striker of a tennis ball but she often mixes her shots which is useful in outsmarting her opponents.
Fernandez is a solid counterpuncher who loves to hit the ball early. The Canadian has a solid forehand which she will look to make the most out of. Like Kasatkina, the 21-year-old has served more unforced errors than aces so far in Eastbourne (14). However, she also has ten aces to her name and will look to fetch more of those in the final.
While both players have been in good form, Kasatkina's head-to-head record over Fernandez might just about see her get the win.
Pick: Kasatkina to win in three sets.