Billie Jean King Cup 2023: Krejcikova vs Kostyuk Tennis Prediction

TennisSection previews the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers match featuring Barbora Krejcikova vs Marta Kostyuk on Saturday, April 15, 2023.

Krejcikova vs Kostyuk Match Preview and Prediction

The Czechs have a commanding 2-0 lead from day one. Can Marta Kostyuk hand Ukraian a lifeline when she takes on Barbora Krejcikova in a decisive third singles rubber at the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers?

Barbora Krejcikova was slated at -2500 to win her first singles rubber on Friday against Katarina Zavatska, but the World No. 12 encountered a few speedbumps along the way. She eventually prevailed 6-4, 6-3, but did drop her serve on a couple of occasions. Although she will be expected to finish the job on Saturday, it is pertinent to note that she has a losing record against Marta Kostyuk, and it is likely it will not be smooth sailing for the former French Open champion.

Marta Kostyuk, meanwhile, was thrashed 6-2, 6-1, against Marketa Vondrousova to kick off her country’s bid to reach the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers in the worst possible fashion. Kostyuk could not find her rhythm and struggled to counter the hot shot artist Vondrousova who broke Kostyuk five times. The Ukrainian coughed up six double faults in the match and won a modest 51% first-serve points.

Krejcikova vs Kostyuk Prediction and Pick

Marta Kostyuk leads Barbora Krejcikova 2-1 in their head-to-head, although it is Krejcikova who took their last meeting in Tallinn last season. Kostyuk struggled with the bounce mightily in her first match at the Billie Jean King Cup, losing heavily to Vondrousova. Krejcikova is equally a nightmarish opponent on the clay with her uncanny ability to incorporate slice and variation. Still, I feel the Ukranians will respond here even at least in bagging a set. Kostyuk has top-20 potential and is well on her way there this year. We’ll back the Kostyuk set handicap here.