Aryna Sabalenka vs Paula Badosa Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Finals

Prediction published on 11/11/2021, 11:59  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 11/11/2021 at 13:00 in Tennis Predictions

Aryna Sabalenka is the top seed at the WTA Tour Finals. The world number two has that position as Ashleigh Barty has withdrawn from this tournament. She takes on Paula Badosa (seeded seventh) in her first match in a group that also includes Maria Sakkari and Iga Swiatek, with the top two going into the semi-finals. Sabalenka has earned just over double the number of ranking points earned by her opponent. Her place in these tour finals was clinched a month before Badosa. Sabalenka has won two titles this year, but both were won inside the first five months of 2021. It has been a great year for her as the Belarusian has climbed up to second in the rankings. Only once has Sabalenka played Badosa, the Spaniard won that in three sets in Cincinnati this year.

It wasn't looking like Badosa was going to qualify for these tour finals. It's been an emotional past few months for her but one that has seen her rise to tenth in the world rankings. Badosa went from suffering heat stroke in the Olympics to winning the Indian Wells title. That was her second title of the year after winning a clay court title in Belgrade. This is her first outing since beating Viktoria Azarenka in the Indian Wells final. Their only other meeting was a tight affair, back Sabalenka to win and it may take her three sets.