The perfect coin flip?

Sure looks like it…

This match is the ultimate clash of styles. The left-hander Sára Bejlek will look to use her slice and her exceptional court coverage to force Jeļena Ostapenko to hit one shot too many. Sára Bejlek doesn’t have the firepower of the Latvian, but she has the game intelligence and ability to vary trajectories that can drive Jeļena Ostapenko completely crazy.

Jeļena Ostapenko, for her part, knows only one speed: turbo. She’ll try to shorten rallies by unloading on murderous service returns. On the hard courts of Abu Dhabi, if she finds her range, Sára Bejlek might not get a look in. But if the young Czech manages to extend the rallies and use her gymnast’s eye to anticipate trajectories, Ostapenko’s legendary irritation could quickly resurface.

The key will be Jeļena Ostapenko’s serve. If it goes missing, Sára Bejlek will gladly dictate the rallies with her lefty out-wide forehand. Conversely, if Osta is having an ‘on’ day, there is no tactic in the world capable of stopping her.