Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka Preview & Prediction | 2024 Madrid Open | Semi-Final
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THE FACTS
What is this tournament classed as in terms of ranking points? WTA 1000
When is Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka on and what time does it start? Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka will take place on Thursday 2nd May, 2023 – not before 20:30 (UK)
Where is Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka taking place? Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka will take place at Park Manzanares in Madrid, Spain
What surface is Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka being played on? Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka will take place on an outdoor clay court
Where can I get tickets for Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka
What channel is Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka on in the UK? Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka will be televised live on Sky Sports in the UK
Where can I stream Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka in the UK? Sky Sports subscribers can stream Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka live on Sky Go
THE LOWDOWN
Defending Madrid Open champion Aryna Sabalenka beat Mirra Andreeva in straight sets for the second year running, improving on three choppier three-set matches so far. The world number two successfully defended her Australian Open title in January with some peak tennis but she has struggled to recalibrate since, with encouraging signs in her serving this fortnight suggesting she will be back on the horse in time for Roland-Garros.
World number four Elena Rybakina is another clear contender ahead of Paris later this month as the reigning Italian Open champion who stunned two-time defending Stuttgart champion Iga Swiatek en-route to the crown two weeks ago. The 24-year-old had coasted through her first three rounds in Madrid before edging through a second-set tiebreak to come back against fellow Kazakh Yulia Putintseva on Wednesday but an eight-match winning streak on clay is serious momentum ahead of this likely thriller.
THE PREDICTION
Sabalenka beat Rybakina to win her maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne last season, taking a 4-0 lead in their head-to-head, but Rybakina has vastly improved her position in their head-to-head since, winning three of their last four matches including in blistering straight sets to lift the Brisbane title this January. A first clay encounter between the two is an intriguing outlier, with both possessing the power to maximise Madrid’s high altitude but Rybakina arguably the better mover in these conditions. The Kazakh has, notably, earned at least a set in all eight of their previous matches, with Sabalenka’s five wins coming in three sets apiece, to offer a suitable alternative to picking a winner here.
TIP: ELENA RYBAKINA TO WIN A SET
