Aryna Sabalenka vs Madison Keys Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA China Open

Prediction published on 30/09/2024, 04:31  by Kennedy Kechula | Modified on 30/09/2024 at 04:51 in Tennis Predictions

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka will face 18th seed Madison Keys in the fourth round of the China Open. Read on for our prediction of this match.

It will be a fifth meeting between the two and the winner will play Cristina Bucsa, Elise Mertens, Karolina Muchova, or Jaqueline Cristian next. Sabalenka is the most in-form player in the WTA at the moment and a big favourite for the Beijing title.

The Belarussian has won 14 successive matches resulting in two titles. She won in Cincinnati and then claimed a third career major title with victory at the US Open.

The world number two is competing in Beijing for a fourth time but has never progressed past the quarter-finals, losing twice. Yet to lose a set in six matches now, Sabalenka defeated Ashlyn Krueger by the loss of four games in the last round.

The 26-year-old, who has compiled a 48-11 record, has defeated Keys three times in their four meetings.

Madison Keys is having yet another strong performance in Beijing. A semi-finalist here in 2016, the American has won both her matches in straight sets.

She defeated the in-form Beatriz Haddad Maia by the loss of six games in the last round. Though she has struggled when up against Sabalenka, Keys will fancy her chances here.

The 29-year-old is a strong hardcourt player and has won close to 230 matches on the surface in her career. She is also having a strong season and has so far won 25 of 35 fixtures.

Keys’ form has produced a title in Strasbourg and semi-final finishes in Eastbourne and Madrid. The former world number seven has returned to the WTA top 20 and is now placed 19th in the live ranking.