Maria Sakkari vs Elina Svitolina Preview & Prediction | 2026 China Open | Third Round

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Elina Svitolina takes on Maria Sakkari at the China Open. 

Ranking points: WTA 1000

Start date/time: 5 October 2026 at 3:00 am

Venue: National Tennis Center, Beijing, China

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / USA – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Maria Sakkari vs Elina Svitolina ticket information

Maria Sakkari vs Elina Svitolina prediction

Maria Sakkari booked her place in the third-round of the China Open after a comfortable win over Storm Hunter. The Greek won eight games in a row at one point as she claimed a 6-2 6-2 win. Sakkari began her Asian swing with a quarter-final appearance at the Singapore Open, losing to eventual finalist Talia Gibson. 

She now plays Elina Svitolina. The Ukrainian extended her unbeaten record against Katerina Siniakova to set up a meeting with Sakkari. All four of their previous completed matches had required a deciding set, and it was no different on this occasion as Svitolina recovered from a slow start to win 1-6 6-4 6-2 after two hours and one minute.

Svitolina leads the head-to-head 3-2, but it’s 1-1 on outdoor hard court. The world number seven will hope for a better start against Sakkari, but her superior consistency and defensive qualities should still give her the edge.

Maria Sakkari vs Elina Svitolina tip: Elina Svitolina to win 2-0