WTA Wuhan: Final Prediction

WTA Wuhan: Both injured, who’ll be the last woman standing? Garbine or Venus?

The final has been decided at the 2015 Wuhan Open in China.

Garbine Muguruza will play Venus Williams! Did I predict this? Find out here!

Here is my prediction as to who will win the title!

(Rank/Seed)

(8/5) Garbine Muguruza vs (24/-) Venus Williams

Muguruza is into her 2nd final of the year after Wimbledon and only the 4th of her career. Thus far, she has only won 1 title at the smaller International level event in Hobart 2014.

This week, the Spaniard has dropped just the one set against (9/9) Ana Ivanovic and overpowered (13/6) Angelique Kerber 64 76(5) in the semis. Despite twice failing to serve it out, fluffing some easy volleys and an ankle injury midway through the tiebreak, Muguruza eventually prevailed against the German’s dogged defence.

At this event last year, the 21 year old defeated then ranked number 2, Simona Halep in the 2nd round before withdrawing due to gastroenteritis. Therefore, Muguruza is guaranteed to set a new career high next week and may crack the top 5 in both the singles rankings and the Road to Singapore.

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Williams is also into her 2nd final of the year, having won Auckland in January. The 35 year old is the 2nd most prolific titlist on tour behind her sister, winning 46 of the 76 finals she’s contested, including 7 Grand Slams. The last time she contested a Premier 5 level final was in Montreal last summer, where she lost to Agnieszka Radwanska. Williams hasn’t won an event of this status since Dubai 2010, when she was still a top 10 player.

The American has struggled in her past couple of matches, despite beating (7/10) Agnieszka Radwanska and (10/7) Carla Suarez Navarro in straight sets earlier on. Having recovered from 3-5 down in the 3rd set to beat Johanna Konta in the quarters, Williams very nearly lost out to (18/13) Roberta Vinci in the semis. Though she’d led 5-2 in the 3rd set herself, Williams was forced to save a match point down 5-6 as she appeared to struggle with an injury to her left glute. However, the former world number one saved her best for the tiebreak, hitting some sensational volleys to avenge her sister’s defeat against the Italian at the US Open, if only by the skin of her teeth 57 62 76(4)!

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Considering she lost in the 1st round here last year despite having match points against Caroline Garcia, Williams will certainly crack the top 20 in both the singles rankings and the Road to Singapore next week.

Williams is unbeaten against Muguruza, winning both of their previous encounters. However, they haven’t played since Auckland 2014 when Muguruza was nowhere near the top 10 player she is now. Though that was a straight sets win for Williams, their other meeting was exceptionally close with Williams barely winning 64 26 75 in Florianopolis 2013.

This match will be centred on all out aggression from both players. It will be vitally important for them to keep a high 1st serve percentage so as to stop their opponent leaping onto the 2nd serve return. Williams has much more experience and is the better mover, but Muguruza is tough to stop when she’s on a roll. This could all prove academic if neither player is healthy for the final. It’s going to be of vital importance that both women tend to their respective injuries overnight and fingers crossed they can both compete at somewhere near their best tomorrow.

All being equal and because of her fighting spirit, I give Williams a very slight edge!

WTA Wuhan: Final Prediction- Venus Williams

Next: WTA Wuhan: Semi Final Predictions

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