Aryna Sabalenka vs Maria Sakkari Betting Preview & Prediction | 2023 WTA Finals | Group Stage
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THE FACTS
When is Aryna Sabalenka vs Maria Sakkari on and what time does it start? Aryna Sabalenka vs Maria Sakkari will take place on Sunday 29th October, 2023 – not before 23:15 (UK)
Where is Aryna Sabalenka vs Maria Sakkari taking place? Aryna Sabalenka vs Maria Sakkari will take place at the Plaza Quintana Roo in Cancun, Mexico
What surface is Aryna Sabalenka vs Maria Sakkari being played on? Aryna Sabalenka vs Maria Sakkari will take place on an indoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Aryna Sabalenka vs Maria Sakkari? Click here for the latest ticket information for Aryna Sabalenka vs Maria Sakkari
What channel is Aryna Sabalenka vs Maria Sakkari on in the UK? Aryna Sabalenka vs Maria Sakkari will be televised live on the Amazon Prime Video app on Smart TVs
Where can I stream Aryna Sabalenka vs Maria Sakkari in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream Aryna Sabalenka vs Maria Sakkari live on the Prime Video app
THE LOWDOWN
25-year-old Aryna Sabalenka finished runner-up to Caroline Garcia at the WTA Finals in Fort Worth this time last season but she returns to the tournament as a newly-crowned world number one after winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. The Belarussian beat Elena Rybakina to her first major title in Melbourne back in January and she has reached at least the semi-finals in all four Grand Slams this season, most recently finishing runner-up to Coco Gauff at the US Open.
World number nine Maria Sakkari finally won her second WTA title at the Guadalajara Masters last month but she would have missed out on WTA Finals qualification had Karolina Muchova been fit enough to take part. Coming by the skin of her teeth might give the Greek the freedom to express herself this week and she will likely be the crowd’s favourite in Cancun after winning plenty of new followers from her exploits in Guadalajara over the last two seasons.
THE PREDICTION
This will be a fascinating clash on Sunday that should set the tone for Bacalar Group in Cancun. World number one Aryna Sabalenka takes all the expectation into the tournament to face Maria Sakkari, who should be able to play with the freedom of a lucky loser after coming through as alternate for Karolina Muchova. The Mexican fans are highly likely to get behind the Greek’s cause as both the underdog of the piece and as a popular player in these parts in her own right but she will have to improve after recent defeats to Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff and Qinwen Zheng proved there is still plenty of vulnerability in her game. Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 6-3 after winning both of their clashes this year in straight sets but, notably, Sakkari has won both of their battles in the previous two WTA Finals in Guadalajara and Fort Worth. Backing the Greek to earn at least a set could be the shrewd way to avoiding a result here but of forced to pick a winner on paper it is hard to side against Sabalenka.
BETTING TIP: Maria Sakkari to win a set.
