Maria Sakkari vs Aryna Sabalenka
18th February 1630hrs
Tennis – Dubai – WTA
Pick Sakkari
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 11/8 odds taken 1810 GMT, Monday 17th February
This is one of the big first-round matches to come from Dubai on the WTA on Tuesday. There are some real heavyweights in this Premier level draw, which of course is understandable. Two of the best youngsters around will scrap it out here for the right to play Elise Mertens in the round of sixteen.
Table of Contents
Sakkari can continue an upward trend
There has been a lot to like about Sakkari’s form this season. She heads to Dubai on the back of an excellent semi-final place in St Petersburg last week. She notably took out top seed Belinda Bencic on her way to the final four.
She was stopped by the in-form Elena Rybakina in that semi-final, but only after having earned the first set. Four of her last five matches now across her last two tournaments, have gone to three sets, so it is worth having a look at that trend to continue.
Sakkari’s last three losses on the WTA this year have all been after she had earned the first set in matches. So she has some work to do there to try and close out fixtures more consistently.
Sakkari is now at her career-high ranking of 21st in the world. Granted her service game, especially when under pressure could be a little better. She has won 68% of service games this year with a 64% success rate on her first serves. She’s gutsy and gritty and can win this match.
Sabalenka returns for first action since Melbourne
Aryna Sabalenka has not played since her first-round exit at the Australian Open 2020 against Carla Suarez Navarro. Before that she did reach the final of Adelaide, beating Simona Halep in a quarter-final match there. But her early misfire at Melbourne Park leaves her at W4 L3 in matches during this calendar year.
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Sakkari and Sabalenka have met twice before. Sakkari took the first match meeting which was in Cincinnati last year. The Greek player had fought back brilliantly after losing the first set on a tie-break.
It was Sablaneka’s turn to bag a win when they met later in the year in Zhuhai, the Belarusian winning in straight sets. Sabalenka is currently ranked 13th in the world. Will that extended break since the start of the Australian Open help or hinder her on her return?
Maria Sakkari vs Aryna Sabalenka Betting Advice
Sakkari does have a bit of momentum in her game at the moment. There are improvements that the 24-year-old needs to find, such as more consistency on her first serve and more conviction in pressing home advantages after winning the opening set of matches.
Key Facts – Maria Sakkari vs Aryna Sabalenka Betting Tip
- Maria Sakkari will meet for the third time (one win each)
- Maria Sakkari is W6 L2 in her last eight matches
- Aryna Sabalenka hasn’t played since the first round of the Australian Open
Sabalanka has firepower in spades but she is coming in cold. Not having played since a first-round exit at the Australian Open leagues her without competitive time on the court, something that Sakkari has had plenty of.
The best betting odds for Maria Sakkari vs Aryna Sabalenka
Maria Sakkari to win: 11/8 at Bet365
Aryna Sabalenka: 11/8 at Bet365
