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Match details
Fixture: (3) Aryna Sabalenka vs Bianca Andreescu.
Date: 21 April 2022.
Tournament: Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
Round: Second round (Round of 16).
Venue: Stuttgart, Germany.
Category: WTA 500.
Surface: Outdoor clay.
Prize money: $757,900.
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Bianca Andreescu preview
Last year's runner-up Aryna Sabalenka will begin her Porsche Tennis Grand Prix campaign against the returning Bianca Andreescu in Stuttgart on Thursday.
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Sabalenka had a brilliant season last year, winning a couple of titles and reaching the semifinals of Wimbledon and the US Open for the first time in her career. However, the 23-year-old has failed to carry the momentum into the new season.
Sabalenka has made just one quarterfinal in eight events so far. With a 7-8 win-loss record for the season, the World No. 4 arrived in Stuttgart woefully short of confidence.
Last year, she fell in the final to former World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty. But this year, Sabalenka might struggle to get that far unless she starts firing on all cylinders.
Sabalenka will need to summon her best tennis in her opener as she faces a tricky opponent in 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu.
The Canadian took a sabbatical following last year's Indian Wells tournament to address mental health concerns. Now fully recharged, the 21-year-old has returned to the sport after a six-month hiatus.
She took some time to find her feet during her first-round clash against German wildcard Jule Niemeier on Tuesday. But once she did, Andreescu looked unstoppable as she raced to a 7-6(5), 6-3 win.
The World No. 121 has promised to bring her A-game against a player of Sabalenka's caliber and will certainly need to do so to stand a chance of winning.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Bianca Andreescu head-to-head
Sabalenka has a 1-0 lead over Andreescu in the head-to-head. The Belarusian earned a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 win over the Canadian in Manchester in 2017.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Bianca Andreescu odds
Aryna Sabalenka vs Bianca Andreescu prediction
Sabalenka is the higher-ranked player, but her results don't bode well for her chances in this match. The Belarusian has time and again struggled on serve, coughing up double faults at inopportune moments.
Andreescu, on the other hand, served impressively in her first match back, recording six aces. The 21-year-old struck 22 winners against just 17 unforced errors and converted three of her four break points against Niemeier.
Considering she was out for more than six months, Andreescu was able to shake off the rust pretty quickly. The Canadian is an excellent tactician who doesn't rely on power alone. Andreescu's speed, variety, fighting spirit andshot selection make her a difficult opponent to face if one isn't at the top of their game.
For Sabalenka, it's imperative that she keeps her unforced errors in check against the young Canadian. Otherwise, it could be yet another early defeat for the World No. 4.
Prediction: Bianca Andreescu to win in three sets.
