2024 WTA Finals: Preview and Draw Evaluation
A number of Grand Slam Champions Sabalenka and Swiatek lead Purple and Orange Teams
The 2024 WTA Finals preview strikes to Saudi Arabia after bouncing across the Americas, kicking off a 3-year contract in Riyadh. These 8 WTA gamers have climbed to some extent of intrigue in 2024, as girls’s tennis begins to see a coalescence of expertise within the aftermath of the Williams sisters’ dominance.
5-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, relinquishing her grip on #1 on this planet, sits atop the WTA’s Orange Group as the two seed. Aryna Sabalenka, now tops within the rankings, presides over the Purple Group because the 1 seed.
Purple
1 Sabalenka
4 Paolini
5 Rybakina
7 Zheng
Orange
2 Swiatek
3 Gauff
6 Pegula
8 Krejikova
The format for the 2024 WTA Finals preview consists of spherical robin play within the group stage, with the highest 2 gamers advancing to single elimination semifinals. The ultimate will likely be performed Saturday November 9.
To the 2024 WTA Finals preview and draw evaluation.
WTA Finals Preview: Court docket Velocity
The Saudis constructed the middle courtroom at King Saud College Indoor Area in simply 5 days. It’s made from a wooden base with acrylic paint. I consulted an skilled in tennis courtroom development. He instructed me the courts ought to play quick, and the gamers may not love the floor as a result of it’s completely different than what they’re used to with the normal exhausting courts on tour.
With a quick courtroom, large servers will wield their weapon of selection at this occasion. Benefit: Sabalenka. Drawback: Swiatek. Maintain this in thoughts when contemplating the 2024 WTA Finals preview.
Purple Group
Sabalenka and Jasmine Paolini have a H2H report of 2-2, with the Belarusian taking their final assembly in straight units on exhausting courtroom in Beijing final yr. As a lot as Paolini has developed into an all-court star, will probably be a tall activity to beat Sabalenka’s energy in these circumstances. Aryna in 2.
Elena Rybakina is coming off a tumultuous yr, affected by accidents, sickness and psychological well being issues. The payday and factors of the WTA Finals have been seemingly wanted, in any other case she may need taken the remainder of the yr to recuperate. Nonetheless, it’s great to see Rybakina again in motion. These circumstances would appear to go well with her, given her serve, however she’s out of match observe. I don’t see her beating an in-form Sabalenka. The Sabalenka Rybakina H2H is 6-3 in favor of Aryna. Sabalenka in 2.
The Rybakina Paolini contest is nearer and extra intriguing. These two gamers are tied at 2 of their total sequence, and the matches have been shut. On a quick courtroom, I’d usually give Elena the sting, however coming off an damage and a training change shouldn’t be best in opposition to a high-shot-tolerance participant like Jasmine. Paolini in 3.
Qinwen Zheng has catapulted herself into elite standing with a sensational 2024 which included an Olympic gold medal. She additionally simply took the title in Tokyo. Like Coco Gauff, when Zheng makes her first serve, she has a excessive chance of successful the purpose. However Zheng’s first serve in play (52%) trails even Gauff’s. She doesn’t double fault as a lot as Coco, however her serve continues to be not optimum by way of the metrics. That is an space Sabalenka has discovered. Aryna owns the H2H 4-0. Sabalenka in 2.
On the flipside, Zheng appears to have Paolini’s quantity, with a 3-0 benefit of their sequence, together with a current win in Wuhan. Placing apart the story of her serving for the time being, Zheng can be one of many tour’s prime returners. On a quick courtroom, she’ll seemingly eat Paolini’s second serve alive. Paolini can be the one singles participant additionally competing in doubles. The time on courtroom begins so as to add up. Zheng in 2.
Rybakina holds a 2-0 benefit over Zheng, nevertheless it’s been over a yr since they final met, and Zheng is a unique participant. This match ought to characteristic a low common rally size as each gamers go for energy early. As a result of Elena has been out of the combination, I see Zheng hitting with extra precision. Zheng in 3.
Orange Group
It’s new coach apalooza on the 2024 WTA Finals. After skipping the Asian swing for private causes, Swiatek returns to defend final yr’s WTA Finals crown alongside new coach Wim Fisette. Gauff has added Matt Daly to her teaching group after parting methods with Brad Gilbert. Swiatek owns a commanding 11-1 report in opposition to Gauff, however not less than they’ve had a break from one another, not having met since Roland Garros. Coco’s one win in opposition to Iga was on exhausting courtroom (2023 Cincinnati). This might be the time to catch Iga– when she’s not match-sharp and early in a training change. Sadly, Gauff can be figuring out the kinks. Her double faults and repair sport normally usually are not but the place she desires. Swiatek in 3.
The Swiatek Pegula H2H is 6-4 in favor of Iga. That’s not a nasty report for Jess. Her straight units win over Swiatek at this yr’s US Open was a signature for the blistering baseliner. Alas, Pegula performed poorly on the Asia swing. I see Swiatek with somewhat extra pep in her step, plus she’s bought the expertise of Fisette in her nook. Swiatek in 3.
Since successful Wimbledon, Krejikova has performed principally doubles, and she or he’s not even competing in doubles right here. Her singles outcomes have been subpar. Apparently, her report in opposition to Swiatek is 2-2, together with their final 2 conferences. I like Barbora’s serve in these circumstances. This can be a very powerful name, however on a sooner courtroom, Iga has much less time to wind up her forehand. Krejikova in 3.
Someday doubles companions and good pals Pegula and Gauff hardly ever make for a very good match. Pegula has the head-to-head 4-1. Gauff’s solely win occurred on grass. Pegula is a superb exhausting courtroom participant with the self-discipline to benefit from a bucket of double faults by Gauff. Pegula in 3.
Apparently, Krejikova and Gauff have solely performed as soon as– at 2021 Roland Garros. Barbora gained that match and went on to take the title. It’s not instructive due to the completely different floor and the time that has handed. I’ve bought this match circled. I feel Gauff might really study one thing from Krejikova’s pragmatism. She’s additionally bought certainly one of my favourite forehands on tour. It’s not the largest, however technically it borrows components from the trendy ATP forehand. Krejikova in 3.
Pegula and Krejikova’s solely conferences got here in 2023, after they cut up matches. Barbora’s sport has only a few extra dimensions. She will be able to make use of the serve-and-volley, for instance. This match may need the longest rallies of the event, and regardless that JPeg is detest to overlook first, Barbora’s serve and problem-solving is ever-so-slightly higher. She’s a 2-time Grand Slam champ, so she should be doing one thing proper. Barbora in 3.
2024 WTA Finals Preview Gamers to Watch:
Group: Sabalenka, Zheng, Swiatek, Krejikova
SF: Sabalenka, Swiatek
F: Sabalenka
