Ella Seidel vs Aryna Sabalenka Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Australian Open

Prediction published on 12/01/2024, 12:38  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 12/01/2024 at 13:39 in Tennis Predictions

Aryna Sabalenka begins her defence of her Australian Open title. The second seed is up against qualifier Ella Seidel with the winner up against either unseeded Ana Bogdan or another qualifier, Brenda Fruhvirtova. The pressure will be on Sabalenka as she'll be defending all the points won when winning this title last year. Her record in Grand Slam events is one only Iga Swiatek can better. As well as winning this title in 2023, Sabalenka also made it to the semi-finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and was the losing finalist in the US Open. 2024 has so far seen her get to the final of the Brisbane International where she lost to Elena Rybakina. At one stage Sabalenka did top the world rankings but lost that position when Iga Swiatek won the WTA Finals. Despite her consistency, not since May has Sabalenka won a title.

18-year-old Ella Seidel is playing in her first Grand Slam tournament. The German had to win three qualifying matches to get into this main draw  WIns came against Elizabeth Mandlik (in three sets), Francesca Jones (who retired at 4-4 in the deciding set) and then Hailey Baptiste 6-0 6-4. Seidel is currently 173rd in the live rankings and last year won three singles titles on the ITF circuit but two of those were played on clay and just one on a hard court. Before the qualifying rounds for this hard court tournament, the teenager made it to the last 16 of the ITF tournament held in Canberra, losing to then world 684 Maya Joint. We go for under 17.5 games to be played in what should be a comfortable win for the defending champion.