THE FACTS
When is Aryna Sabalenka vs Magda Linette taking place? Aryna Sabalenka vs Magda Linette will take place on Sunday 25th July, 2021 at (not before) 03:00 (UK)
Where is Aryna Sabalenka vs Magda Linette taking place? Aryna Sabalenka vs Magda Linette will take place at Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo
What surface is Aryna Sabalenka vs Magda Linette played on? Aryna Sabalenka vs Magda Linette will be played on hard courts
Where can I get tickets for Aryna Sabalenka vs Magda Linette? There are no tickets for Aryna Sabalenka vs Magda Linette as Olympic Tennis will take place without spectators.
What TV channel is Aryna Sabalenka vs Magda Linette on in the UK? Olympic coverage is shared between BBC and Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedules for Aryna Sabalenka vs Magda Linette
Where can I stream Aryna Sabalenka vs Magda Linette in the UK? If Aryna Sabalenka vs Magda Linette is televised on BBC then it can be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app. If Aryna Sabalenka vs Magda Linette is televised on Eurosport then subscribers can stream the match live on Eurosport Player
THE PREDICTION
Aryna Sabalenka reached a career-high world number three after reaching the semi-finals of Wimbledon earlier this month. The 23-year-old was combative throughout an enthralling contest with Karolina Pliskova but the wily Czech eventually unpicked Sabalenka’s power play to expose her main weakness as a general lack of a ‘Plan B’. Still, The Belarusian has added two WTA titles this year to her now total of 10 so far at such a young age and she has plenty of potential left to reach. World number 45 Magda Linette’s Wimbledon experience came as something of a surprise as she shocked the third seed Elina Svitolina and very nearly made the round of 16 in a close defeat to Paula Badosa. The Pole will be part of a strong team in Tokyo alongside Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz.
Sabalenka was the winner in their only previous meeting with a straight-sets result at the Tianjin Open back in 2018 and despite Linette’s recent exploits it seems unlikely that record will level; here. Belarus has a real chance at a medal in tennis at the Tokyo Olympics with a strong field across the draws and Sabalenka is at the forefront of that. Take the hard-hitting powerhouse to blast through this first round in straight sets.