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Match Details
Fixture: (2) Aryna Sabalenka vs Daria Kasatkina
Date: Wednesday, June 19
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Tournament: 2024 ecotrans Ladies Open
Venue: Rot-Weiss Tennis Club, Berlin, Germany
Category: WTA 500
Surface: Grass
Prize Money: €823,000
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - SkySports
Aryna Sabalenka vs Daria Kasatkina preview
Second seed Aryna Sabalenka is slated to open her campaign in Berlin against Daria Kasatkina in a highly anticipated first-round encounter on Wednesday, June 19.
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Sabalenka kicked off the 2024 season in scintillating fashion by defending her title at the Australian Open with a clinical win over Qinwen Zheng in a one-sided final. She hit a bit of a slump during the American hard-court swing but quickly rediscovered her best form at the start of the clay-court swing.
Sabalenka reached the finals of the Madrid and Italian Opens but lost to top seed Iga Swiatek on both occasions. She entered the French Open as one of the favorites but was sent packing in the quarterfinals by a spirited Mirra Andreeva. Sabalenka looked in discomfort throughout the encounter due to a stomach illness but refused to throw in the towel at any point.
Kasatkina, meanwhile, has had a sub-par season so far by her lofty standards and has dropped way outside the top 10 in the women's rankings. She holds a 20-12 match record this season and has finished the runner-up in Abu Dhabi and Charleston so far.
She kicked off her campaign in Berlin with an emphatic three-set victory over Marta Kostyuk in the first round. Kasatkina jumped to the early lead, but it was Kostyuk who powered to the first set on the back of some brilliant hitting from the back of the court.
The pair exchanged six breaks on serve in a row in the second set before Kasatkina eventually sealed it in the tie-breaker to send it into a decider. Kasatkina started strong in the decider. She didn't look back after going up the early break and went on to serve out a hard-fought 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3 win.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Daria Kasatkina head-to-head
Aryna Sabalenka and Daria Kasatkina have faced off eight times on the WTA tour with the Belarusian leading their head-to-head 6-2. She won their previous encounter 6-1, 6-4 earlier this year in the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Daria Kasatkina odds
(Odds sourced through BetMGM)
Aryna Sabalenka vs Daria Kasatkina prediction
A blockbuster second-round clash is on the cards for fans as Aryna Sabalenka and Daria Kasatkina prepare to fight it out for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Sabalenka opened the season with a bang but saw her momentum take a hit during the American hard-court swing. She was back to her best on the clay but looked visibly injured during her quarterfinal defeat at the French Open.
Kasatkina, on the other hand, has had an underwhelming campaign so far by her lofty standards. She's been marred by inconsistency despite reaching two finals already this year. Her serve also hasn't been at its best and will need to improve if she is to contest for the biggest prizes this year.
Sabalenka enters this encounter as the clear favorite given her explosive grass court game and big serve. Kasatkina, however, has got some match practice on the surface already under her belt and will be hoping it aids her in her quest to win.
Either way, we can expect several big serves and hard hits from the baseline, with these two in action. Playing the big points will be crucial and could ultimately decide who goes through.
Pick: Sabalenka in three sets.
