Pliskova leads their previous meetings 3-1. The last time they played was last week in Stuttgart. Pliskova won a very tight match 7-5 in the third set. Safarova’s win was on clay in an ITF tournament in Prague in 2012.
Their recent match was close but Pliskova was not 100% fit and had treatment for a back problem. She is the defending champion this week and seems to be really going all out to defend the title. She hasn’t dropped a set so far and allowed Giorgi just 3 games yesterday.
Safarova is playing a little better than she has this year but was in trouble against Duque Marino, came through against Hradecka who retired and had 2 very tight sets with Hsieh. I think she may take a set but have to favour Pliskova to win.
Back Pliskova if she is broken first.
