World number two Aryna Sabalenka will face Greek number one Maria Sakkari in the semifinal of the 2023 WTA Madrid Open on Thursday, May 4. Get the predictions and odds of this Aryna Sabalenka v Maria Sakkari match along with its preview, head to head, and tips here.
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Aryna Sabalenka v Maria Sakkari Head to Head
There have been eight previous meetings between these two and Sabalenka holds a 5-3 edge over her opponent. All those eight matches have come in hardcourt competitions though.
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Sabalenka Overturns Slow Start against Sherif
We had spoken about the need for Sabalenka to be careful in her quarterfinal match against Mayar Sherif and as things turned out, a slow start cost her the first set.
Sabalenka changed gears from the second set onward though and two hours and three minutes later, had found a way past Sherif to seal her semifinal berth. The world number three won 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 despite losing her serve a whopping four times in the encounter.
This win marked Sabalenka’s seventh of the season on clay as she followed up her performances against Sorana Cirstea, Camila Osorio and Mirra Andreeva in which she had raced away to straight-set wins.
What needs to be now seen is if Sabalenka can maintain that same kind of ruthlessness against a fellow top-10 player on a surface which, despite her record this season, isn’t her most preferred.
Sakkari Claws Back against Begu
Having shrugged off the Paula Badosa challenge in the previous round, Sakkari had come into her quarterfinal against Irina Camelia Begu as a 7/10 favourite but her opponent held her off rather well for starters.
It was only towards the latter half of the encounter that Sakkari managed to come into her own and slowly but steadily overpower Begu.
In a match lasting nearly three hours, Sakkari clinched a 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2 win over her 35th-ranked opponent and move into the semifinal stage of a WTA 1000 tournament on clay for only the second time in her career. The last time she did that was in 2019.
Sakkari’s serve has been a big worry for her though with the Greek getting broken five times in the encounter. She also earned 21 break-points in return though and clinched eight of them to set up this meeting with Sabalenka.
Sabalenka v Sakkari Prediction and Tip
Sabalenka is a favourite here and the way she has been going about her business, it’s tough to see how Sakkari can breach her defences. Expecting a straight-set win.
Tips:
- Low Risk Tip: Sabalenka to win
- Moderate Risk Tip: Sabalenka to win in straight sets
The 2023 WTA Madrid Open will be played from April 26 to May 7. You can get all the tennis betting news with our tennis betting blog here. Also get rest of the tennis match previews here.
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