Seventh seed Karolina Muchova plays Katie Boulter in a rematch from the US Open, where Muchova won 6-1, 6-0. Muchova leads the head-to-head 2-0, both on hard courts.
Muchova is ranked 8th with a 39-10 record this year and 20-5 on hard. Her variety is the difference here: slice, drop shot, flat backhand and clean change of pace. She just won her Billie Jean King Cup match in straight sets, so she arrives with confidence and match rhythm.
Boulter, ranked 56th, beat Mai Hontama 6-3, 6-4 in round one with 29 winners. When her serve and forehand click she can hit through almost anyone, but her 9-9 hard-court record this year shows how streaky she has been. Against Muchova's disguise and angles, she needs to dictate early or she gets pulled out of position.
A blowout like the US Open is unlikely again, as Boulter will adjust. Still, Muchova has the tools to control the tempo.
Prediction: Muchova to win in straight sets. Confidence: high.