Petra Kvitova vs Aryna Sabalenka
29th February 1500hrs
Tennis – Doha – WTA
Pick Sabalenka
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: Even Money odds taken 2053 GMT, Friday 28th February
The final of the WTA Doha event should be a cracker. Our betting experts backed Sabalenka for a deep run ahead of the tournament and she is now lining up in the final. She will take on Petra Kvitova for the honours and the bookmakers are calling a tight match.
Table of Contents
Kvitova knocks down Barty to reach the final
There was a turn up for the books in the semi-finals of the 2020 WTA Doha tournament. Petra Kvitova was up against world number one Ashleigh Barty, a player who she was on a four-match losing streak against.
One of those was at the recent Australian Open Grand Slam.
There was a dramatic battle between the two in this Doha semi. Kvitova managed to hold out and win in the deciding set. That was some underdog success actually, especially with Barty staying fresh throughout the tournament.
So now can Kvitova convert in the final?
The Czech player has had a good season, reaching the semi’s of the Brisbane International and then the quarters of the Australian Open where she was stopped by Barty. Is the first title of the season about to drop on her lap?
The one concern for the final is that this has been a long tournament for Kvitova. All four of her matches played have gone to three sets. That does eventually catch up with players. But what will give her confidence is that she did just outlast Barty.
Sabalenka has easier route to the final
Aryna Sabalenka did not have the semi-final stresses that Petra Kvitova had. The Belarusian won in straight sets comfortably against Svetlana Kuznetsova in her final four match. Kuznetsova was rested too after having had a walkover in the previous round.
Sabalanka knocked off some tricky opponents in Anett Kontaveit and Maria Sakaari in the early stages, but it has been relatively straightforward for her since then. She has benefited from the draw.
Sabalanka was 9th seed only for the tournament, but 2nd seed Simona Halep pulled out, meaning that Sabalenka ended up getting a very nice draw for herself in a reshuffle.
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This has been the best performance, the deepest that she has gone in a tournament this year, beating her semi-final in Adelaide in mid-January. She has a big serve. Can she bring down the Kvitova defence?
Kvitova and Sabalenka have met three times, with Kvitova leading the head to head 2-1. The most recent meeting was in Sydney last year with Kvitova winning in straight sets. Sabalenka’s lone win happened at the 2018 US Open.
Petra Kvitova vs Aryna Sabalenka Betting Advice
The stats between the two on the most part, are pretty similar this season. There’s little to separate them in service games won and 1st serves won either, although Kvitova edges both ever so slightly. Not enough to be a major factor however.
Key Facts – Petra Kvitova vs Aryna Sabalenka Betting Tip
- Petra Kvitova leads the head to head 2-1
- Petra Kvitova beat Ashleigh Barty in the last round
- Aryna Sabalenka and Kvitova are both in their first finals of the year
There is a difference when it comes to the defence of Kvitova who has won 45% of return games, which is huge. But still, we can’t look past the appeal of Sabalaneka.
She will be the fresher of the two heading into the final and Kvitova has bent so many times in this tournament, that the toil may just catch up with her. Sablaneka to win.
The best betting odds for Petra Kvitova vs Aryna Sabalenka
Petra Kvitova to win: 12/1 at Bet365
Aryna Sabalenka: 10/11 at Bet365
