Sofia Kenin vs Elena Rybakina
18th February 1200hrs
Tennis – Dubai – WTA
Pick Draw
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 2/1 odds taken 20:35 GMT Sunday, 16th February
For the first time since lifting the Australian Open title, America’s Sofia Kenin will be stepping back into action. Everything changes now for the youngster on the back of her Slam title. She doesn’t get an easy opener in Dubai either against the in-form Elena Rybakina.
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Australian Open champion Kenin returns
After her career Slam breakthrough, Sofia Kenin is going to be under bigger pressure than ever now. The American isn’t seeded for Dubai and that has seen her land a tough opening fixture.
The grit and fire that she played with at Melbourne Park was astounding, her notable wins coming over Ashleigh Barty in the semi’s and then the experienced Garbine Muguruza in the final.
But outside of the Slam, Kenin has only a W2 L2 record in WTA singles in 2020. She took a W1 L1 record away from a Fed Cup fixture in early February as well, losing against Jelena Ostapenko.
It will be interesting to see how she handles the pressure. She looks to be pretty fearless to be fair. Kenin did play in Dubai last year, reaching the round of sixteen.
Red-hot Rybakina can pull off an upset
Rybakina is up against a Grand Slam champion yes. But she looks to be a little bit underestimated for this fixture. She is in astounding form at the moment.
Funnily enough, Rybakina has had the reverse of Kenin’s season, not doing much at the Grand Slam, but running in hot form in other events.
On the weekend Rybakina reached the final of St Petersburg. She was undone there in the end by Kiki Bertens, but again, take out this year’s Australian Open and the Kazakhstani has reached three finals in three WTA tour level events in 2020.
She has, incidentally, won one of those trees. It is a staggering W13 L3 match record that she has this season. She has fired off 104 aces and has won 78% of service games.
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Of course, she is going to run out of steam at some point. In her quarter final and semi final at St Petersburg however, she was pushed to three sets and won the decider in each of those.
Rybakina does look at the moment, to have plenty left in the tank. This will be the first meeting between her and Kenin.
Sofia Kenin vs Elena Rybakina Betting Advice
Kenin is coming back somewhat cold since the Australian Open. That means she is well worth opposing in this opener in Dubai. Rybakina is just not an easy opponent for anyone at the moment and has match sharpness and confidence in spades right now.
Key Facts – Sofia Kenin vs Elena Rybakina Betting Tip
- Sofia Kenin won the 2020 Australian Open
- Sofia Kenin and Elena Rybakina meet for the first time
- Elena Rybakina has reached three WTA Tour finals in 2020
Then there is the extra pressure of playing a tournament for the first time as a newly crowned Grand Slam champion that Kenin has to deal with. There’s no head to head, but momentum is something that Rybakina has.
The best betting odds for Sofia Kenin vs Elena Rybakina
Sofia Kenin to win: 4/11 at Bet365
Elena Rybakina: 2/1 at Bet365
