Karolina Pliskova vs Elena Rybakina – Round of 16 – Preview & Prediction | 2023 Abu Dhabi Open

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THE FACTS
When is Karolina Pliskova vs Elena Rybakina on and what time does it start? Karolina Pliskova vs Elena Rybakina will take place on Thursday 9th February, 2023 – not before 14:55 (UK)
Where is Karolina Pliskova vs Elena Rybakina taking place? Karolina Pliskova vs Elena Rybakina will take place at the Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre in Abu Dhabi, UAE
What surface is Karolina Pliskova vs Elena Rybakina being played on? Karolina Pliskova vs Elena Rybakina will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Karolina Pliskova vs Elena Rybakina? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Karolina Pliskova vs Elena Rybakina
What channel is Karolina Pliskova vs Elena Rybakina on in the UK? Karolina Pliskova vs Elena Rybakina will be televised live on the Amazon Prime app on Smart TVs
Where can I stream Karolina Pliskova vs Elena Rybakina in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream Karolina Pliskova vs Elena Rybakina live on Prime Video
THE PREDICTION
World number 10 Elena Rybakina received a bye to the round of 16 at the Abu Dhabi Open as the third seed in what will be her first match back on tour since finishing runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open. The 23-year-old should rightfully be ranked in and around the top five after winning her maiden Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last summer but a lack of ranking points at SW19 saw her a serious dark horse in Melbourne before making a second final in three majors. World number 20 Karolina Pliskova reached the quarter-finals at the Australian Open before defeat to surprise semi-finalist Magda Linette but the Czech desperately needed a run like that and her straight-sets victory over Ysaline Bonaventure on Tuesday was an encouraging one after so many poor defeats last season. Rybakina and Pliskova share a few similarities on court, not least in their powerful playstyles, but the Kazakh looks the fair favourite here after claiming both of their previous meetings in tight straight sets. It is notoriously hard, though, for players to perform well on their return from a run like Rybakina’s in Melbourne and that makes backing the world number 10 to earn at least a set the suitably cautious pick.