Yarra Valley Classic 2021: Serena Williams v Tsvetana Pironkova Preview, Head-to-Head, and Prediction

The Australian Open 2021 is just a week away and before that fans are witnessing some exciting tennis at the Yarra Valley Classic 2021. What’s even more special is that some big stars including Serena Williams are also playing at the tournament. The tennis queen will next face Tsvetana Pironkova in the pre-quarters of the event.

Serena Williams v Tsvetana Pironkova: Preview

Serena Williams looks quite fresh and enthusiastic after her recent success in Australia. She first defeated World No. 3 Naomi Osaka in an exhibition match in Adelaide and then got off to a great start at the WTA Melbourne 2021, popularly known as the Yarra Valley Classic 2021. In the first match, she thrashed Daria Gavrilova in straight sets.

On the other hand, Tsvetana Pironkova had won two great matches lately. First, she defeated Ludmilla Samsonova in straight sets and then managed to make a comeback against Donna Vekic even after losing the first set 1-6. The 33-year-old Bulgarian player can certainly prove to be a threat for Williams.

Williams has played some powerful and stunning forehand winners in the tournament so far. Although she is making a comeback after almost five months, she has still got an amazing serve and some great gameplay. Pironkova too has served really well in the tournament so far and has won about 60% points on her first serve. She secures some fabulous net points and it’ll be a thing that Williams will have to prepare for before facing her.

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Serena Williams v Tsvetana Pironkova: Head-to-Head

The two players have played against each other on six occasions and Williams leads the battle 5-1. On the hard surface, the two have faced each other three times with Williams winning the match on all occasions.

They last met at the French Open 2020, where Williams suffered an unfortunate injury and couldn’t complete the match. Pironkova emerged as the winner there, after getting a walk-over.

This will be the first time when the two players will meet at the WTA Melbourne. While Williams will want to extend her dominant record over Pironkova, the Bulgarian will definitely try to narrow down the margin.

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Williams v Pironkova: Prediction

Williams will surely start as the favorite before the match. Even though Pironkova has played some exceptional tennis in the tournament so far, beating Williams will not be easy at all.

Serena won’t want the match to go too deep and will like to defeat her opponent in straight sets to save her energy. Will the American legend be able to defeat the Bulgarian easily, or will Pironkova cause one of the greatest upsets this Wednesday?

Also Read: Serena Williams looks forward to Tsvetana Pironkova challenge at WTA Yarra Valley Classic