Simona Halep vs Elena Rybakina Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Dubai Tennis Championships

Prediction published on 21/02/2020, 17:50  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 21/02/2020 at 18:50 in Tennis Predictions

Simone Halep is the top seed for the Dubai Women's Open and takes on Elena Rybakina in the final. The world number two has had a tough week and it looked as if she might lose in the second round. Halep lost the first set of her match against Ons Jabeur 6-1 but fought back to win the next set 6-2 and then surviving a match point in the third set tie-break to get through. More problems followed in the last eight when she lost the first set to seventh seed Aryna Sabalena. Again, she recovered well and only dropped four games in the next couple of sets. It was a lot easier in the semi-final though as only two games were lost as Halep sailed past qualifier Jennifer Brady.

 is up to a career best 19th in the rankings but two places higher in the live list. 2020 has already been a big year for her with a final in Shenzhen followed by victory in the Hobart International. World number one Ashleigh Barty beat her in the last 32 of the Australian Open but last wek saw her reach another final, losing to Kiki Bertens in St Petersburg. This week has seen her continue that good run with wins over two top ten players. The first round saw her come from a set down to beat Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin. In the last eight, Rybakina knocked out world number three Karoline Pliskova in straight sets. Her run to the final continued with a win over eighth seed Petra Matic winning two tie breaks. The players have only had one previous meeting. That was in Wuhan last year when Rybakina was the winner after Halep retired when 5-4 down in the first set. Rybakina is the player in form here with Halep twice nearly exiting the tournament. Take a chance on Rybakina to win the title.