Sydney Tennis Classic 2022: Barbora Krejcikova vs Jacqueline Cristian preview, head-to-head & prediction
Match details
Fixture: (3) Barbora Krejcikova vs Jacqueline Cristian
Date: 12 January 2022
Tournament: Sydney Tennis Classic 2022
Round: Second round (Round of 16)
Venue: Sydney, Australia
Category: WTA 500
Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt
Match timing: Not before 3 pm local time, 4 am GMT, 9.30 am IST
Prize money: $703,580
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Barbora Krejcikova vs Jacqueline Cristian preview
Third seed Barbora Krejcikova will aim for a spot in the quarterfinals of the Sydney Tennis Classic on Wednesday when she squares off against World No. 73 Jaqueline Cristian.
Krejcikova has come to Sydney on the back of a phenomenal season in both singles and doubles last year. The Czech won three singles titles, the biggest highlight of which was her maiden Grand Slam win at Roland Garros.
In doubles, she partnered compatriot Katerina Siniakova to four titles, which included big ones at the Olympics, French Open and the WTA Finals.
Trophies galore: @BKrejcikova started her year with her first WTA 1000 runner-up hardware in Dubai, and it all just skyrocketed from there… what a season! https://t.co/YTyjU0IaFt
The strong showing in both disciplines has catapulted the 26-year-old to a ranking of No. 4 in singles and No. 2 in doubles.
Krejcikova will be eager to pick up from where she left off and start the 2022 season on a winning note.
World No. 73 Jaqueline Cristian, meanwhile, ended the 2021 season on a high with a fantastic run to the final of Linz after having started in the qualifiers. In the summit clash, the 23-year-old went down fighting in three sets to eighth seed Alison Riske.
Although the Romanian's 2022 season started with a tough three-set loss to Kaia Kanepi in Melbourne last week, she will be keen to bounce back in Sydney.
She made her intentions clear in her opening match of the tournament, holding her nerve in a gritty 7-6(5), 7-5 win over local hope Priscilla Hon.
A great hardfought win for Jaqi today to start her week in Sydney. Jaqueline Cristian defeated Priscilla Hon 7-6, 7-5. https://t.co/W2QXBZszZF
Barbora Krejcikova vs Jacqueline Cristian head-to-head
Barbora Krejcikova and Jacqueline Cristian have never squared off on the tour before, so the head-to-head is currently tied at 0-0.
Barbora Krejcikova vs Jacqueline Cristian prediction
Jaqueline Cristian is a highly aggressive player who has easy power off both the wings. However, Krejcikova is adept at tackling such players.
Not only is the World No. 4 strong from the baseline but thanks to her doubles prowess she is skilled at the net too. Krejcikova will look to use her angles and finesse to neutralize Cristian's power and force her into errors.
It is thus crucial for the Romanian to hold her serve and remain toe-to-toe with the third seed. If Cristian concedes an early advantage to the French Open champion, she might not get a chance to claw her way back.
Prediction: Krejcikova to win in two tight sets.