Guadalajara Open Akron 2024: Victoria Azarenka vs Kamilla Rakhimova preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick

Match Details

Fixture: (19)Victoria Azarenka vs (89)Kamilla Rakhimova

Date: 11 September 2024

Tournament: Guadalajara Open 2024

Round: Round of 16

Venue: Panamerican Tennis Center, Zapopan, Guadalajara, Mexico

Category: WTA 500

Surface: Hardcourt

Prize Money: $922,573

Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video

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Victoria Azarenka vs Kamilla Rakhimova preview

2024 US Open - Day 3 - Source: Getty

Two-time Australian Open champion and tournament third seed Victoria Azarenka will take on Kamilla Stanislavovna Rakhimova in the Round of 32 at the Guadalajara Open Akron on 11 September.

The match will take place at the Akron Tennis Stadium in Guadalajara. Rakhimova is stepping into the fixture in good form, having won the WTA 125 Abierto Zapopan against Tatjana Maria in three sets 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. Rakhimova defeated Aleksandra Krunić in the previous round in Guadalajara in straight sets 7-5, 6-0 at the Grandstand Caliente.

Azarenka, on the other hand, is far from the player she used to be some years ago. She faced a third-round exit at the US Open against Wang Yafan in three sets 4-6, 3-6, 1-6, before entering the tournament in Mexico.

Both players have contrasting playstyles, which makes this encounter exciting for the crowd. While Azarenka is known for her aggressive gameplay and decisive baseline game, Rakhimova has a more versatile and tactical playstyle, that doesn't focus as much on power.

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Victoria Azarenka vs Kamilla Rakhimova head-to-head

Azarenka and Rakhimova have yet to face each other professionally.

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Victoria Azarenka vs Kamilla Rakhimova odds

Players
Victoria Azarenka
Kamilla Rakhimova

Odds will be updated once available.

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Victoria Azarenka vs Kamilla Rakhimova prediction

Azarenka has won 66% of her matches in the past year, while Rakhimova has won 53% of hers. The two players have played at significantly different levels of competition, with Azarenka mostly playing on the main Tour. In contrast, Rakhimova, who is still trying to make a name for herself, has played in the ITF and Challenger-level tournaments.

Azarenka has also played against more competitive players with an average rank of 45 compared to Rakhimova, who played against players with an average rank of 159, which would be an advantage for the Belarusian, who faced higher quality players.

While Azarenka is the more successful player, she has struggled for form lately, so if this game goes the distance, she will have to put in an extra shift to win. She has a 57% deciding set winning ratio compared to Rakhimova's 48%, giving her another edge. She also has a better defense, saving 60% of her breakpoints, while Rakhimova has managed to save 53% under pressure.

Pick: Victoria Azarenka to win in three sets.