Anhelina Kalinina vs Elina Svitolina Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Dubai Tennis Championships

Prediction published on 17/02/2024, 23:21  by Nella Wagah in Tennis Predictions

Fifteenth seed Elina Svitolina and her unseeded compatriot Anhelina Kalinina will face off next in Dubai. They will square off in the first round with the winner progressing to face either Varvara Garcheva or Tatjana Maria. Anhelina Kalinina is having a torrid start to the year. The Ukrainian has lost five times in seven outings this season which has all taken place on hard courts. She arrives for her second main draw appearance in this WTA 1000 tournament after a second-round exit in Doha. Last year was her debut and she produced a third-round finish. She starts the week down two places to 32nd in the live ranking.

Elina Svitolina was forced to retire due to a back problem in her last outing. This was a month ago in the fourth round at the Australian Open. The Ukrainian has battled with injuries since her return to the tour last season after giving birth to her first child. She will hope to be fully fit as she returns seeking another Dubai title. Svitolina is a two-time Dubai champion. She won the title in back-to-back years in 2017 and 2018 and is also a two-time semifinalist. The last time she was here though, which was two seasons ago, she suffered a second-round exit. Svitolina is having a strong start to the year and has so far compiled a 7-2 record. She finished as runner-up in Auckland which stands to be the highlight of her season so far. The 29-year-old, who is ranked 20th in the WTA, defeated Kalinina the only other time they have met. That was more than 10 years ago in Donetsk.