Elina Svitolina plays her first tournament with Justine Henin in her coaching team as she faces Jana Cepelova of Slovakia.
Svitolina takes on Henin after trial basis last season
The Ukrainian began working with the seven-time Grand Slam champion last November on a tryout basis while joining the Belgian's academy. No doubt that short time period of their partnership went well as Henin will be in the Svitolina coaching box for the first time to oversee her pupil's debut in the Middle East after the announcement of a more permanent role was made last week.
Cepelova battles through qualifying
The Slovakian, ranked 135th at the time of the rankings cutoff, was forced to three sets in all three of her qualifying matches. She defeated German Carina Witthoeft 6-7(13), 6-2, 6-4 in the first qualifying round. In the second qualifying round, Cepelova rallied from 1-5 down in the third set to defeat American Alison Riske 6-3, 6-7(1), 7-5. In the third and final qualifying round, she was able to get past another American, Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 to qualify for the main draw.
Head-to-Head
This is the fourth career meeting between Svitolina and Cepelova. The first match took place in the second round of qualifying in Moscow in 2012 with Svitolina coming out on top 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. They met twice on 2013, Cepelova coming out on top in the first round of Eastbourne qualifying 7-6(6), 3-6, 6-2. Svitolina would triumph once again in qualifying, 6-3, 6-3 in round one of New Haven, so this will be their first meeting in the main draw of a WTA Tour event.
What to expect
All eyes will no doubt be on Svitolina to see if Henin has had any impact on her game in the short time they have been together. The Ukrainian can turn to her new coach to see if she can make her main weapon, her backhand, even better as that was Henin's best shot. Cepelova, despite her ranking, does pose some threat to Svitolina as she has a win over Simona Halep in the first round of Wimbledon in 2015. She also can claim a win over Serena Williams in Charleston in 2014. Svitolina will want to use her excellent backhand and consistency to force errors out of Cepelova. Consistency is indeed a problem for the Slovakian, with her highs being spectacular, but her ranking showing her lack of steady results.
Prediction
Svitolina in 2 sets. The previously mentioned lack of consistency on Cepelova's part feeds right into the hands of Svitolina. She'll use that advantage and her backhand to reach the second round with relative ease and win her first match under Henin's tutelage.