- Heather Watson v Veronika Kudermetova
- H2H: Watson leads 1-0
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – The hard lockdownees do battle in the Grampians Trophy as Heather Watson faces Veronika Kudermetova.
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H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Heather Watson v Veronika Kudermetova | H2H: Watson leads 1-0 |
| WTA 500: Grampians Trophy R1 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $3000 |
| Scheduled fourth on Court 8
Not before 3pm (4am GMT). |
Watch on Amazon Prime |
Preview: Heather Watson v Veronika Kudermetova | H2H: Watson leads 1-0
Having finally been released from hard lockdown, the players are finally about to get some competition under their belts. Heather Watson will have happy memories of her win over Veronika Kudermetova on her way to the Tianjin final at the end of 2019, but the Russian started the year well, reaching the final in the season opener in Abu Dhabi.
Watson has had to make the most of training in her room as her regular TikTok bulletins will attest, and it will be interesting to see if hard lockdown is a leveller, given Kudermetova’s start to the season.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2021)
| H2H: | Veronika Kudermetova (36) | Heather Watson (58) |
| 1st Serve Return Points Won % | 35.5 | 31.4 |
| Return Points Won % | 45.2 | 44.1 |
| Break Point Conversion | 58.7 | 47.4 |
| Break Points Saved | 48.6 | 40 |
| Total Points Won | 51.4 | 51.7 |
Playing Styles
Both players were in Abu Dhabi, but Watson only had the benefit of a couple of matches under her belt, while Kudermetova had a strong run but was overwhelmed in the final by Aryna Sabalenka this year.
Both play aggressively, with Kudermetova liking to take the ball early on the rise and can generate good pace off both wings.
Both can move well, both can come forwards well, and Watson has always been a consistent volleyer when she comes in to finish her points at the net.
Prediction
Arguably Kudermetova has had the stronger start to the year, but with both players having been in hard lockdown, it will be interesting to see who adapts to match play the quickest.
Prediction: Watson in three sets.
Watson and Kudermetova are scheduled fourth on Court 8 not before 3pm (4am GMT).
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