🎾 WTA Madrid: Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Daria Kasatkina

🎾 WTA Madrid: Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Daria Kasatkina – Match Preview

🧠 Form & Context

🇦🇺 Daria Kasatkina

• Fighting Spirit: Survived a second-set wobble to beat Alycia Parks 6-2, 7-5 after trailing 2-4.
• Madrid Consistency: Ninth appearance here; quarterfinalist in 2018 and reached the third round each of the past three years.
• Form Dip: Had not won back-to-back matches since February (Doha) before this tournament.
• New Identity: Recently switched nationality, still searching for the form that brought six WTA 500 finals last year.

🇷🇺 Ekaterina Alexandrova

• Efficient Win: Defeated Olga Danilovic 6-3, 6-4, showcasing strong baseline control despite occasional service lapses.
• Clay Form: Semifinalist in both Charleston and Stuttgart, her best clay results since a Madrid SF run in 2022.
• Season Achievements: Captured the WTA 500 title in Linz, showing versatility across surfaces.
• Ups and Downs: Early-season struggles but regaining form right in time for the European clay swing.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Kasatkina’s heavy topspin, rally construction, and elite defensive skills traditionally shine on clay, allowing her to neutralize opponents. Her comeback against Parks showed she’s fighting hard, but questions about her overall sharpness remain.

Alexandrova brings flatter, more aggressive baseline hitting, and her improved clay performances this season suggest she can maintain patience when needed. If she serves well and dictates play, she’ll have the chance to overpower Kasatkina rather than grind with her.

The style contrast—grinder vs attacker—will decide the match. Kasatkina must disrupt Alexandrova’s rhythm; Alexandrova must stay composed through inevitable long rallies.

🔮 Prediction

✔️ Prediction: Ekaterina Alexandrova in 3 sets

Expect Kasatkina to frustrate at times, but Alexandrova’s current form, confidence, and ability to finish points should allow her to edge a tightly contested battle.

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