Ashleigh Barty vs Aryna Sabalenka Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Mutua Madrid Open

Prediction published on 06/05/2021, 19:24  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 06/05/2021 at 20:24 in Tennis Predictions

World number one Ashleigh Barty bids to win her fourth singles title of the year. The former French Open champion takes on Aryna Sabalenka in the Madrid Open, their second meeting in a final in successive weeks. Barty has had success in the Yarra Valley Classic, Miami Open and the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart. Her position as world number one had been under threat but a win here will see her go nearly 3000 points clear of Naomi Osaka. It's not been the smoothest of paths to this final for Barty. The Australian had to go to three sets to get past Tamara Zidansek and Petra Kvitova. Straight sets wins over Iga Swiatek and Paula Badosa (who recently beat her in Charleston) show what great form she's in just weeks before heading to Paris.

Aryna Sablenka is also going to be a major contender at the French Open. She's won three of her previous seven matches against Barty but has lost to her twice this year. Firstly in Miami and then in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix final. Sabalenka has had a tournament victory in Abu Dhabi this year and has made it to at least the last eight of four tournaments in a row. She has been highly impressive this week and has dropped only 18 games in five matches, including a win over 16th seeded Elise Mertens. This is tougher for her and it'll be good for her to see how far she can push Barty. The world number one is in good form though and winning mood, go for her to win but a side bet on a three-setter looks worth making.