Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the WTA Cincinnati match.
Sabalenka and Rybakina have met 11 times before, with their contests almost always turning into tense three-set battles. In Cincinnati, the stakes are not only a place in the semi-finals but also a psychological edge ahead of the US Open.
Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka has arrived in the US with a clear focus on defending her US Open crown. She has yet to win a Slam this season, but her hard-court record against top-10 opponents is impressive, with seven wins in her last nine matches. Cincinnati has not been straightforward: Aryna dropped six games each to Marketa Vondrousova and Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, and needed three hours against Raducanu, with the pair going to two tie-breaks.
Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina is having a steady season, winning 73% (39-14) of her matches, but has yet to fully realise her potential at the bigger tournaments. In Cincinnati she has been through three gruelling three-setters in a row, on top of a busy schedule that included a semi-final run in Montreal. Her first serve has been below par (59% in) and she has committed 19 double faults. The head-to-head stands at 6-5 in the Kazakh’s favour, with all of Sabalenka’s wins coming in three sets.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina Prediction
Rybakina can make it competitive, but fatigue and a lack of freshness could prove decisive. Sabalenka, by contrast, looks sharp and hungry for results. Still, this should be a long match, with the players reaching at least the 22nd game.
