Caroline Dolehide vs Maria Sakkari Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Mérida

Prediction published on 23/09/2023, 05:14  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 23/09/2023 at 06:13 in Tennis Predictions

Second seed Maria Sakkari bids to win her first title of the year. The Greek faces unseeded Caroline Dolehide in the final of the Guadalajara Open Akron. It's a big match for both players and particularly Sakkari. After slipping to ninth in the world rankings, reaching this outdoor hard court final has taken her back up to sixth. It's also important for her hopes of qualifying for the end-of-season Tour Finals. Currently the 28-year-old was only 16th at the start of this tournament but is now up to tenth. Winning the final will see her climb to ninth, one place below the final qualifying place. It's been an impressive performance by Sakkari this week. No sets have been lost on the way to her second final in successive months. Only 20 games have been dropped with just three in her semi-final victory over third seeded Caroline Garcia. That saw her through to the final here for the second successive year and won't want to be runner-up again.

Caroline Dolehide was ranked 111th at the start of this tournament. Her run to this final has seen her zoom up the live rankings to 42nd. That's 57 places above her previous career high. A win for the American will tae her up to 29th. The 25-year-old had been beaten in her last three matches before the Guadalajara Open Akron began. There'd even been a recent loss to a player ranked outside the top 600. The tournament didn't start well for her as the American dropped the first set in round one to Peyton Stearns. A successful comeback was made but two other matches this week have also gone to a final set. Not her semi-final though as Dolehide beat Sofia Kenin in straight sets. The 25-year-old has shown her best form on the doubles circuit and reached the last four at Wimbledon. Now her singles form is improving but we believe Sakkari can win this in straight sets.