Elena Rybakina vs Maria Sakkari Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Qatar Open

Prediction published on 31/10/2023, 08:40  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 31/10/2023 at 11:50 in WTA Qatar Open Prediction

Elena Rybakina takes on Maria Sakkari and it's their second fixture in this WTA Finals round-robin group. Both lost their first match so will need to get a win here to keep alive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals. Rybakina lost her opening match to JessIca Pegula in straight sets. After this match against Sakkari, Rybakina faces Aryna Sabalenka so really needs a win here. Rybakina is the fourth seed in this outdoor hard court tournament and it's only her second since the US Open. Her other event was the China Open where she lost in the semi-finals but had beaten Sabalenka in the last eight. The 24-year-old has won two singles titles this year and is in a battle with Coco Gauff to end the year third in the rankings. Rybakina has had two previous matches against her opponent and is level at 1-1. The most recent match was at Indian Wells last year at Indian Wells with Sakkari getting the win. Revenge looks on the cards in this match.

Maria Sakkari owes her place in these WTA Finals to the withdrawal of Karoline Muchova. The Greek was ninth in the WTA Race and gained entry but got off to a terrible start on Sunday. Only one game was won in her opening match against Aryna Sabalenka. A win is really needed here before a final match against Jessica Pegula. Sakkari won the WTA 1000 event held in Guaalajara in September but didn't beat any top ten ranked players. Since then, the 28-year-old has made one last eight appearance and reached a semi-final in Tokyo. The loss against Sabalenka was her third successive loss. Another defeat looks likely here.