Aryna Sabalenka vs Iga Swiatek Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Qatar Open

Prediction published on 04/11/2023, 08:59  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 04/11/2023 at 12:40 in WTA Qatar Open Prediction

There's more at stake in this match than deciding whether Aryna Sabalenka or Iga Swiatek reach the WTA Finals. A win for Sabalenka will ensure she ends the year top of the world rankings. However, if Swiatek can win and go on to lift the trophy on Sunday, then the Pole will regain top spot. Swiatek comes into this WTA Finals semi-final having won all three of her round-robin group matches. Wins have come against Marketa Vondrousova, Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur. Six sets have been won for the loss of 14 games but 11 of those have come in two of them. The world number two hasn't been as dominant as in 2022 but has still won five titles this year. Swiatek came into this tournament fresh from winning the China Open. Her last nine matches have been won and only one set dropped. 

This is a repeat of last year's WTA Finals semi-final and on that occasion it was Sabalenka who was the winner. The world number one still trails Swiatek 5-3 in previous meetings but is 2-2 on hard courts. Two of her last three matches against the Pole on this surface have been lost. Sabalenka would have clinched the end-of-year top ranking if winning all three of her group matches. An impressive start was made as only one game was lost against Maria Sakkari. Then she lost in straight sets to Jessica Pegula and dropped another set when beating Elena Rybakina. Swiatek looks to be in the better form this week and can reach the final.