Rogers Cup 2021: Finals: Karolina Pliskova vs Camila Giorgi : Preview and Prediction

The 4th seed Karolina Pliskova locks horns against the 71st-ranked Camila Giorgi in the finals of the Rogers Cup 2021. This is their 3rd clash between the 29-year-olds this season. The Italian has won both her matches against the former World number 1. However, the Czech leads the overall head-to-head 5-3. 

Did you know?

Camila Giorgi is the lowest-ranked finalist at the Rogers Cup since the 80th-ranked Serena Williams in 2011. 

"I think it is going to be another great match, I am just going to focus on my game like I do, as usual, then we see, It is going to be a good match,” 

- Camila Giorgi

How did Karolina Pliskova defeat top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semis?

Pliskova put up a serving masterclass as she beat the World number 3 Sabalenka 6-3 6-4 in the semis of the Montreal Open. The Czech fired 10 aces and took 78.4% of her first-serve points in the 81-minute victory. She also equalized the H2H record to 2-2 against Aryna. The 29-year-old will reach the 4th position in the WTA rankings on August 16. 

Key Insights:

• Pliskova is featuring in her 3rd final of this year after (Rome Masters in May and Wimbledon in July).
• Giorgi is playing her first WTA-1000 final of her career.
• Karolina Pliskova has won a staggering 12 out of her last 14 matches.
• Camila Giorgi is targeting her 3rd career singles title.
• The Czech will aim to win her first title in 2021 and a 17th singles trophy.
• The Italian has clinched 15 out of her previous 19 matches

How Camila Giorgi overcame the spirited Jessica Pegula?

Giorgi, the World number 71 overpowered 30th-ranked Pegula in 3 sets in her semifinal. The Italian began well by taking the first set 6-3. However, Pegula used her brutal ball-striking and won the second set 6-3 to level proceedings. Camila Giorgi had dropped her first set of the tournament. 

The decider was one-side traffic as the unseeded Giorgi clinched it 6-1 by capitalizing on the American’s inconsistent serving. Despite committing 9 double faults, Camila ended up victorious after hitting 27 winners and saving 7 out of 10 breakpoints. The Italian claimed 65.5% of return points on her second serve when compared to Pegula’s 45%. 

Will Karolina Pliskova use her first-strike tennis to good effect?

Pliskova has hit the right spots with her superior first-serve in Montreal. She can grab the momentum by getting a lot of free points. The Czech star can also smash winners under pressure situations. 

The ex-World number 1 is clinching more points with her strong returning on her opponents’ second serve. Some of her shots are unplayable and she can win games consecutively when in full flow.

Can Camila Giorgi create history by defeating Pliskova again?

Giorgi has been in red-hot form in the Rogers Cup. The 29-year-old beat the 9th seed Elise Mertens, 7th seed Petra Kvitova and the 15th seed Cori Gauff in straight sets each. The Italian has been controlling the rallies with her supreme court coverage.

Camila Giorgi has the psychological edge against Karolina Pliskova as she has beaten the ex-World number 1 twice in 2021. It included a 3-set victory in the first round of the Eastbourne Open in June and a 6-4 6-2 win in the third round of the Tokyo Olympics.  

"I think now I am playing better, I know better how to choose the shots when I need a little bit to slow down or accelerate, it's more variation in my game, I think, this is very important,” 

 

-reflected Giorgi after her close win against Pegula in the semifinals

Wrapping Up

It is a power-game battle as Pliskova’s serving prowess will encounter Giorgi’s hard-hitting. Karolina will look to smash aces and get points quickly. The Italian is blessed with strong groundstrokes from the baseline and she can take advantage when the Czech commits a lot of unforced errors. 

Camila Giorgi has defeated 5 higher-ranked players in Montreal and will go all out to clinch her first title on outdoor hardcourts. However, Karolina Pliskova’s superior serving gives her the advantage.

"Giorgi, I think she goes for, like, crazy winners, if she's on and if she's playing well, you can see she's beating quite easy top players,” 

-opined Pliskova praising Camila for her consistency in the Montreal Open.  

The Czech has never lost a final against Giorgi (2-0 record). Expect the former World number 1 to pull off a three-set thriller against the impressive Italian.

Prediction

Karolina Pliskova to win in 3 sets against Camila Giorgi and clinch the Rogers Cup 2021.

Featured Image Credits - WTA - Twitter