Match up 100% Czech

The analysis of this 100% Czech duel is quickly brought back down to physical reality. While the match-up looks great on paper, what happened in the previous round forces us to be extremely cautious.

Key concern:Karolína Plíšková pulled off a feat against Anisimova, but the behind-the-scenes of that match are worrying. Down 7-5, 3-0, she owed her salvation only to the American’s physical collapse. More importantly, Plíšková spent2h22on court. For a 33-year-old player just coming back from injury, playing again less than 24 hours later against a “Magician” like Muchová — who hasn’t broken a sweat all tournament (under 1h30 per match) — looks like mission impossible.

The match-up:The H2H (2–1 for Muchová) shows that Plíšková has never found the key against her compatriot since 2017. Muchová’s game is based on variation: she’ll force the tall Plíšková to bend her knees on every rally. With heavy legs, the former world No. 1 risks seeing her serving stats (her only lifeline) collapse quickly.