Aryna Sabalenka vs Simona Halep Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Stuttgart Open

Prediction published on 24/04/2021, 06:58  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 24/04/2021 at 07:58 in Tennis Predictions

Aryna Sabalenka is the world number seven but seeded fifth for this tournament. She takes on second seed (world number three) Simona Halep who is a very hard player to beat on clay. Sabalenka began this year with a tournament win in Abu Dhabi, following on from winning her last two 2020 events. A great way to start the year but this is her first semi-final since that January win. Clay hasn't always been her favourite surface, though she did win in Lugano last year. This week saw her get straight set wins over Zhang Shuai and Anna-Lisa Friedsam. A tougher time was had  in a late night three-setter against Anett Kontaveit. Winning this title would see her move up to sixth in the world, that'd be her highest ever ranking.

Sabalenka has to get past Simona Halep first though, not an easy task at all. Halep has won three of their previous four meetings, the most recent being a three-set win in Dubai last year. This is their first meeting on clay and Halep is the worthy favourite. She won two clay court tournaments last year, winning 13 out of 14 matches on this surface. Her only loss was to eventual winner Iga Swiatek in the fourth round of the French Open, a tournament she won in 2017. Injury means this is only her fourth tournament of the year. Halep has been in top form this week as she bids to reach her 19th main tour clay court final (nine of the previous 18 were won). Only nine games have been lost in two wins against Marketa Vondrousova and Ekaterina Alexandrova. Back her to get a win in this semi-final to set up a final against either Ashleigh Barty or Elina Svitolina.