WTA Finals 2024: Iga Swiatek vs Daria Kasatkina preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: Iga Swiatek vs Daria Kasatkina
Date: November 7, 2024
Tournament: WTA Finals 2024
Round: Group Stage
Venue: King Saud University Indoor Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Category: Year-end championships
Surface: Hard (Indoor)
Prize Money: $15.25 million
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel |U K - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Iga Swiatek vs Daria Kasatkina preview
Second seed Iga Swiatek will take on Daria Kasatkina in the third group stage match of the WTA Finals on Thursday.
Swiatek lived up to her reputation on clay by winning in Madrid, Rome, and Paris this year. She added two more titles to her locker in Indian Wells and Doha and also secured a bronze medal finish in the Summer Olympics where she lost to Zheng Qinwen in the semifinals.
The 23-year-old made her first appearance in two months at the WTA Finals this week. She started her campaign with a resilient win over Barbora Krejcikova but couldn't find her rhythm against Coco Gauff. The American outmuscled Swiatek in straight sets.
Daria Kasatkina, meanwhile, has had a solid year by amassing 40 wins from 62 matches, including title-winning runs in Eastbourne and Ningbo. She also secured runner-up finishes in Adelaide, Seoul, Charleston, and Abu Dhabi.
The Russian is filling in for Jessica Pegula in Riyadh as the latter was forced to withdraw due to fitness concerns. She won't be fighting for a place in the semifinals but could play a crucial role by halting Swiatek's chances of making the last four. Kasatkina will enter the WTA Finals on the back of a quarterfinal exit in Tokyo at the hands of Sofia Kenin.
Iga Swiatek vs Daria Kasatkina head-to-head
The head-to-head between Swiatek and Kasatkina is in favor of the Pole at 5-1. They last met in 2022 at the WTA Finals where Swiatek emerged victorious in straight sets.
Iga Swiatek vs Daria Kasatkina odds
(Odds will be updated when available)
Iga Swiatek vs Daria Kasatkina prediction
Iga Swiatek has been missing the X factor since clinching her fifth Major title in Paris. The Pole was given a reality check by in-form Coco Gauff in her previous match and will be eager to raise her level against Kasatkina. It's a must-win game for Swiatek who's yet to find her best form in Riyadh.
Kasatkina, on the contrary, has had an underrated season this year with 3368 points in WTA Rankings. While she has won only once against Swiatek, she will hope to put up a stern challenge for the Pole. The Russian is known for her patient all-around game and fighting spirit on the court.
Swiatek will undoubtedly be the favorite to come out on top but Kasatkina could make life difficult for her opponent. The Riyadh crowd can expect a close encounter on Thursday, with Swiatek most likely switching on her game and making it to the last four.
Pick: Swiatek to win in three sets.