French Open - Kivitova Vs Sharapova

Kvitova is ranked number 4 in the world and Sharapova is ranked number 2 in the world. They have played each other 5 times, with Sharapova leading the H2H’s 3-2. She has won the last 2 meetings and has won their only meeting on clay, which was earlier this year in Stuttgart.

Kivitova has a 10-3 record on clay this season. She has only lost to Kerber (10), Sharapova (2) and Hradecka (61). She has played three clay court tournaments this season prior to the French open. She progressed to the ½ final, 2^nd round and ¼ final. She had good wins against Kerber and Schiavone in Stuttgart on her way to the semi-final were she lost to Sharapova in two tight sets. However, in Madrid and Rome she did not beat anybody of note. During the French Open she has played 5 matches and dropped two sets. However, she has not played anybody in the top fifty.

Sharapova has a 17-1 record on clay this season. She has only lost to Serena Williams (5). She has played three clay court tournaments this season prior to the French Open. She has won 2 of the tournaments and lost in the ¼ final of the other. In the three tournaments she has played 6 top ten players and has only lost 1 of them.  This week in the French Open, she has played 3 top fifty players and won them all. She has dropped one set this week.

Both players are playing well, but I think it is fair to say Sharapova has the edge, the only worry I have with Sharapova is her serve. She serves lots of double faults and it can be an issue. Sharapova does have added incentive today as well, as if she gets to the final she becomes world number one again.

In the last round Kivitova struggled in the 1 set, she hit quite a few unforced errors. However, she stepped it up in the 2^nd set and her opponent ran out of steam. She will need to play her best today if she is to beat Sharapova.

I think Sharapova will win in two tight sets or three. Again I will back Sharapova from the start. If she gets off to a poor start and goes a break down I will back her again, and look to hedge out if she wins the first set. As before, if she goes a set down I will back again and wait for an early break in the first few games.

Sharapova Won in straight sets