Jessica Pegula vs Amanda Anisimova - WTA Toronto Final Tennis Prediction and Pick 8/12/24

It is back-to-back finals at the National Bank Open for Jessica Pegula. The World No. 6 won her second WTA 1000 in Montreal last year and can defend her title in Toronto on Monday after playing some solid tennis all week. Pegula has not dropped a set at this tournament and ended the dream run of Russian lefty Diana Shnaider in the semifinal. She won 6-4, 6-3 in almost one and a half hours. 

In the victory, Pegula tallied two aces and landed 59% of first serves. She won 73% of first-serve points (24/33) and 52% of second-serve points (12/23). Pegula created 11 break points in the match and converted three. The American has won five WTA titles in her career, but she has not retained any of those. Can she do so for the first time in Toronto?

Amanda Anismova will contest her first WTA 1000 final. And truthfully, this run has been out of the blue. She had to defy the odds all week as she became the second player on the WTA Tour in 2024 to beat FOUR Top 20 players in a single tournament (the other being Barbora Krejcikova).

Anisimova's latest win was against fellow American Emma Navarro as she overcame a second-set wobble to win the match 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 in almost two hours. She compiled four aces to five double faults in the victory and landed 53% first serves. Anisimova won 73% first-serve points (27/37) and 58% second-serve points (19/33). She converted four of 11 break points in the match.

Jessica Pegula vs Amanda Anisimova Head-To-Head

Pegula leads Anisimova 2-0 in their head-to-head, winning their most recent match at the 2024 Charleston Open in three sets.

Jessica Pegula vs Amanda Anisimova Prediction

Pegula's season is starting to take off. This is a crucial phase for her as she stood to lose plenty of points if she lost early in Toronto. But she will contest a second successive final in Canada. Anisimova has rediscovered the form that took to the height of the Top 20 not long ago. And this run also emphasizes the importance of mental health breaks in this day and age, where athletes can seemingly lose their way when they are distracted.

The hiatus last year has definitely had a positive impact. In terms of this match, I feel Pegula has a lot more control when it comes to her power from the baseline and she is a better server. She's also a durable player, especially if this match stretches to three sets. We are backing the third seed to retain the National Bank Open.