Twelve players have descended upon Zhuhai, China, for the 2023 WTA Elite Trophy Finals. No. 1 seed Barbora Krejcikova will get the action started on day one as she takes on Magda Linette. The field is stacked, and the slate is loaded. But who will win?
WTA Elite Trophy Predictions
Barbora Krejcikova vs Magda Linette
Head-to-Head: Krejcikova 2-0 Linette
Barbora Krejcikova has played some solid tennis since losing in the first round of the US Open. She holds a 7-2 in her last nine matches, including a title in San Diego. She squares off against Magda Linette on day one of the WTA Elite Trophy Finals. Linette comes into this match on a three-match losing streak and was completely out-classed when she played Krejcikova in 2022. Linette has improved tenfold since that match, but I trust the consistency and baseline prowess of Krejcikova. Her power will be too tough to overcome.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Veronika Kudermetova vs Lin Zhu
Head-to-Head: Kudermetova 1-0 Zhu
Lin Zhu enters this match on a four-match losing streak. It has been a career year for the 29-year-old Chinese, and she is looking to find a few wins to end the season. Veronika Kudermetova won the Tokyo title three weeks ago, her best stretch of tennis in months. Both players strike a very clean ball from the baseline, which should create a terrific viewing experience. In the end, however, Zhu’s recent form has been too poor for me to believe she will string together two solid sets against Kudermetova.
Prediction: Kudermettova in 3
Madison Keys vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Madison Keys and Beatriz Haddad Maia will square off on day one at the WTA Elite Trophy Finals for the first time. This is only Keys’ second event since her run to the US Open semifinals. 2023 has been incredibly positive for the American as she has racked up her most wins during a season (33) since 2016. On the other side of the net, Haddad Maia reached a career-high ranking of No. 10 in June. However, since Wimbledon, she is just 5-7 and has beaten only one top-50 player. If Keys is motivated, she should be able to push the Brazilian around the court.
Prediction: Keys in 2
More must-reads: