Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Qatar Open

Prediction published on 31/10/2023, 08:08  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 31/10/2023 at 10:00 in WTA Qatar Open Prediction

Aryna Sabalenka has been rather vocal about the venue for the WTA Finals. That didn't stop her getting off to a great start on Sunday. After beating Maria Sakkari, Sabalenka now takes on Jessica Pegula hoping to get a second win in the Bacolor Group. The 25-year-old finally made it to the top of the world rankings in August. If winning all her three round-robin group matches in these WTA Finals, she'll retain that position at the end of the year. Only one game was dropped in her opening win over Maria Sakkari but the top seed remains unhappy with the state of the court. After this match against Pegula, Sabalenka ends this group with a match against Elena Rybakina. Before that there's this match against Jessica Pegula who Sabalenka has beaten in four of their previous five meetings. The most recent match between them was in this tournament last year wIth Sabalenka winning in straight sets.

Jessica Pegula beat Aryna Sabalenka in their first ever meeting three years ago. Since then the American has lost all four matches against Sabalenka. but only one has been on a hard court. Pegula is likely to have a busy week as she's the top seed in the doubles tournament partnering Coco Gauff. The 29-year-old has won two singles titles this year, the first time she's ever managed that feat and both were on hard courts. The most recent of those titles came in Seoul but the highest ranked player beaten was Ashlyn Kreuger who was in 80th position at the time. Three of the last tournaments Pegula has played have seen her fail to reach the quarter finals. The  fifth seed also made a good start in these WTA Finals, beating Elena Rybakina in straight sets 7-5 6-2. Sabalenka can get the win here.