Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Ons Jabeur Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Stuttgart Open

Prediction published on 14/04/2024, 11:53  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 16/04/2024 at 22:30 in Tennis Predictions

Seventh seed Ons Jabeur will seek to end her current slump with a win over the unseeded Ekaterina Alexandrova next in Stuttgart. The two will battle in the first round with the winner next playing either Jasmine Paolini or a yet-to-be-revealed qualifier. Ekaterina Alexandrova has lost her last two fixtures and will be eager to not suffer a third successive defeat. The Russian, who is a former Stuttgart quarterfinalist, was defeated in the first round here last season. But with her strong showing against Jabeur in the past, Alexandrova will be confident of making a winning start. The 29-year-old has defeated Jabeur six times in eight meetings and three of those wins have come on clay. Alexandrova has compiled a shaky 12-9 record and is coming off a first-round exit in Charleston. Despite it being an inconsistent season, Alexandrova has managed one runner-up finish and two semifinal appearances. She is currently ranked 16th in the WTA.

Ons Jabeur is having a horrendous season which has largely been due to struggles with fitness. The Tunisian has managed just two wins in eight outings and is currently on a five-match skid. Playing a player who has dominated her in the past isn’t what she would have wished for with her form. But as she has had considerable success in Stuttgart, the 29-year-old will fancy her chances here. Jabeur, who is making her third appearance in this WTA 500 tournament, has never lost an opener here. Last season she lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Iga Swiatek. The current world number nine defeated Alexandrova the last time they met. This was two seasons ago on the clay surfaces in Madrid. Jabeur’s tenure in the top 10 is under threat and another string of poor results could see her drop out.